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President Donald J. Trump could be considering a July 4th announcement of his intention to launch a third presidential campaign, according to NBC News.
While Trump has repeatedly hinted he may run again in 2024, the 45th president has yet to make a formal announcement to that effect.
Traditionally, such announcements occur following the midterm elections, but on Sunday, NBC reported that two people “in Trump’s orbit” had told the outlet that they had been informally asked to hold July 4 as a potential announcement date.
Citing advisers to the president, NBC reported that although Trump has yet to decide on running, he has been collecting opinions about a potential early announcement. However, those in his inner circle are reportedly divided on whether that would be a good idea.
“I’ve laid out my case on why I think he should do it,” said GETTR CEO and former senior Trump adviser Jason Miller, per NBC. “I think that there being clarity about what his intentions are [is important] so he can start building that operation while it’s still fresh in people’s minds and they’re still active — a lot of that can be converted into 2024 action.”
A second, unnamed adviser, who felt Trump should wait, told NBC that the president was likely to enter the race “sooner rather than later,” given his penchant for spontaneity.
“A betting person says he’s doing it, and he also wants to crowd out the rest of the field,” the second adviser said.
Without confirming the rumor, Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich told NBC via text, “America was strong, prosperous and greatly respected under President Trump, and that’s why he continues to have unprecedented strength through his endorsement record and the demand for his leadership has never been higher.”
And others would seem to agree with that sentiment. In a June 7 tweet that Budowich retweeted, Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., noted that many Americans had come to recall the Trump presidency as “the good ol’ days.”
As for the timing of a potential campaign announcement, Business Insider noted that, after the president first took office, he immediately announced his reelection bid, bucking tradition in the characteristic Trump fashion that has endeared him to many of his supporters.
But whether an announcement comes on Independence Day or after the November elections, any confirmation that 45 intends to become 47 will be news worth celebrating for Trump supporters.