Donald Trump speaks at CPAC in Orlando, Florida on Feb. 28.
Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg
Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg
Donald Trump tells his allies that he is strongly considering running for president again in 2024 – and close advisers want him to choose someone other than former Vice President Mike Pence for his ticket, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Trump publicly teased at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Sunday that he is considering a new bid for president. Privately, he has discussed alternatives to Pence as he takes stock of who he thinks was with him at the end of his tenure and who was not, two of the people said.
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They asked for anonymity because the conversations were private.
Trump’s advisers have spoken of identifying a black or female running mate for his next run, and three of those familiar with the matter said Pence is unlikely to be on the ticket.
Two advisers have suggested that Trump consider South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, the people said. Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, are organizing a fundraiser Friday for Noem at the Mar-a-Lago resort and home of Trump in Palm Beach. The former president plans to appear, people familiar with the matter said.
And on Tuesday, Trump gave public approval for the re-election of South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Scott is the only black Republican in the United States Senate.
Pence rejected his boss’s calls to unilaterally undo Trump’s defeat when he chaired the Electoral College’s congressional vote count on Jan. 6. vice president and members of Congress to flee. Five people died in the battle.
Mike Pence and Karen Pence arrive at Joe Biden’s inauguration in Washington, DC on January 20.
Photographer: Kevin Dietsch / UPI / Bloomberg
The two men did not speak for days after that. Pence did not say whether he would want to run with Trump again, according to a person familiar with the situation who believes it is doubtful that Pence would.
Trump adviser Jason Miller said there are “no such talks” about choosing anyone other than Pence if he runs again, and that the former president “has not made any decisions regarding a possible 2024 run.” A spokesman for Pence did not immediately comment.
In Trump’s camp, no serious thought has yet been given to future vice-presidential candidates, those familiar with the matter said. If he runs, Trump likely won’t make a formal announcement until the summer of 2023, they said.
At a rally outside the White House for the deadly January 6 riot, Trump said he would win the 2020 election if Pence did “the right thing” and declined Electoral College votes for Joe Biden from several states where the former President had claimed, without proof, that widespread fraud had cost him the victory.
After Pence refused, Trump tweeted that his vice president “did not have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our constitution.” At that point, mobs swarmed through the Capitol, with some insurgents chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” as Secret Service rescued the Vice President.
Although Trump did not formally announce his candidacy to CPAC on Sunday, his first public appearance since his tenure on Jan. 20, he hinted at another bid. Trump rattled off the performance of his White House tenure, reiterated his false claim that he won the 2020 election, adding, “Who knows? I could even decide to beat them a third time.”
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The former president’s public musing about a new run is possible effectively freeze the 2024 Republican presidential field as many other prominent GOP candidates are likely to wait for the former president’s decision before announcing their own campaigns.
Trump is building a political structure that would serve as a campaign foundation should he decide to restart, including an existing political action committee, Save America, that accepts donations until $ 5,000 per person. A new super PAC, which would accept unlimited donations, is also planned.
Pence was invited to speak at CPAC, but informed organizers weeks before the event that he and his family had decided to remain unobtrusive for the first half of the year. He has said he is opening a transition office and plans to move back to Indiana this summer.
The former vice president himself is considered a potential top-level candidate in 2024. A Harvard-Harris poll from Feb. 23-25 found that 42% of Republican voters preferred Trump as their nominee for 2024, compared to 18% for Pence, who finished in second place.
Without Trump, Pence led the field with the support of 36% of Republican voters, followed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz with 13%.
Updates with commentary from Trump advisor in ninth paragraph.