Former US President Donald Trump (R) made history last night by announcing that he will be running for the Presidency of the United States once again. Now that the news is official, the former President has already picked up many endorsements.
After seeing a rather disappointing election night nationwide for Republicans, many GOP voters looked to Florida as Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) won his re-election in a landslide, and Florida shifted closer to being a safe red state.
Despite attacks from PresidentTrump, many commentators reached the conclusion that the Republican Party needs to realign itself and put all its eggs in one basket with a Gov. DeSantis presidential nomination in 2024.
Last night at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump gave a different view of election night 2022. He bragged about his endorsement record seeing 82% of the candidates he endorsed this election cycle emerging victorious with 254 endorsements made this general election, higher than his 59% endorsement success rate in 2018, and 78% in 2020.
While election night gave the impression that the Republican Party is now in a limbo state where it must face the hard task of remaining loyal to Trump or jumping ship for DeSantis, some notable Republicans did not hesitate to back Donald Trump for President in 2024.
Florida's own, US Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), did not waste any time at all to Tweet an image of him with the former President, with the caption, "#MAGA," the slogan Trump will use in 2024 for the first time since his 2016 bid for president.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 16, 2022
Other members of Congress such as US Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), US Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and freshman Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), all gave very supportive Tweets of the president's announcement. Rep. Jackson Tweeted, "President Trump SAVED AMERICA once, and he’s going to do it again! I think EVERYONE knows where I stand. I’ve had 45’s back since DAY ONE, but just in case, I’m PROUD to OFFICIALLY ENDORSE President Trump in 2024! TRUMP 2024!!"
Conservative commentators also jumped on the Trump Train, such as Leo Terrell, a Fox News contributor and civil rights attorney who Tweeted before Trump's announcement, "I support President Trump for President in 2024. My second choice is President Trump. My third choice is President Trump!"
Just days ago, many theorized that Trump's brand is played out and will not work in 2024.
However, the controversial president may be able to channel his 2016 rhetoric if DeSantis challenges. So far, the Florida governor has not clarified if he will run, but with very widely disliked Republicans like Jeb Bush (R-FL) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) bashing Trump and praising DeSantis, this may allow the former President to acquire all the ammo he needs for a potential primary race next year.
DeSantis is by no means a "RINO" like many in the Trump camp could potentially claim he is, but the future of the GOP is not as black and white as many on election night forecasted it to be.
