Column: Why Trump Shouldn't Run in 2024
Despite popular support from his party, Trump has yet to declare his campaign for the presidency in 2024. Source: The Week
“We’re going to take America back!” These were the words uttered by former President Donald Trump at an October rally in Iowa. This raises the million-dollar question: Does Trump plan on running in 2024? The official answer is that we don’t know; however, he has given nearly every indication that he will.
Despite losing the 2020 election, 78% of Republicans, according to a poll done by Quinnipiac University, believe Trump should run again. As a possible contender, these numbers look promising. Meanwhile, 94% of Democrats and 58% of Independents believe he should not run. He may have the numbers to secure the Republican nomination, but it is likely he will not have the numbers to win the election. The question then becomes, should Trump run in 2024?
Although not all of his presidency was bad, which will be discussed later, it would be a mistake for Trump to run again, for a couple reasons: first, he is causing damage to the Republican party and secondly, the country needs a younger candidate.
There is no doubt the Republican party has changed; however, the way in which it has changed under Trump’s leadership is astonishing. The party turned tribal with two warring factions: those with Trump and those against him. Republican strategists have admitted that the Republican party is now Trump’s, citing the lack of a platform at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
The party has become enamored with Trump and given him their unwavering loyalty. This is evident in Trump’s policies, some of which contradict long-held Republican ideologies. For example, he went against the free-trade policy and instead implemented tariffs. However, his most well-known violation of Republican ideology is his anti-immigration policy. George W. Bush acknowledged the humanity of immigrants crossing the southern border; however, Trump disregarded this position and instead injected a sentiment of anit-immigration claiming, “They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.” Actions such as these violate long-held Republican policies and thus have damaged the party and have led to some Republicans no longer having a party with which they can identify.
Additionally, Trump has consistently silenced those in the party who reject his leadership. He famously removed Congresswoman Liz Cheney from a leadership position following her criticism of his involvement in the January 6 capitol riot. Furthermore, candidates who have not been outright supportive of Trump and are seeking the Republican nomination in their respective races, often lose the nomination due to Trump’s backing of their opponent.
As a result, there are Republicans cozying up to Trump in order to help their chances in upcoming elections. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa essentially admitted this reality stating, “...if I didn’t accept the endorsement of a person that's got 91% of the Republican voters in Iowa, I wouldn’t be too smart.” This has led to candidates supporting Trump simply because it will benefit them politically rather than supporting his policies. Those who show unwavering support receive his blessing while those who criticize him face his temper. This has become an issue because the Republican party now has to deal with members like Marjorie Taylor Greene who spread conspiracy theories like wildfire. Thus, the Trump train is chugging along and ridding itself of any dissenters.
On the flip side, there are Republicans who are scared to run against Trump in 2024 due to fear of retaliation. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, a favorite for the Republican nomination in 2024, has already declared that she will not run if Trump does. Although Trump is no longer president, his hold on the party is still very strong. Even if he chooses not to run again, candidates need to win his favor in order to gain his supporters. Essentially, when Trump says “jump” they ask “how high?”.
Although Trump has brought a lot of damage to the Republican party, his presidency made some accomplishments. For example, he changed defense strategy to focus more on competing with China and Russia, a policy that Biden has continued; under the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act, many loopholes to money laundering were closed; he ended flavored vaping cartridges in order to curb advertising nicotine to adolescents; and left office with a more peaceful Middle East. However, are these policies alone enough?
Overall, Trump had his pros and cons; however, he is not what the country needs in 2024, nor is Biden for that matter. This conclusion is strictly due to age. In the last two elections, we have elected the two oldest presidents in history, this title belonged to Reagan before Trump and Biden’s elections. It is time for both parties to move forward and to the side so that the next generation can pick up the reins. As Condoleezza Rice recently said, “It’s time now for the next generation of party leaders to ‘move ahead and deal with the American people’s issues’.”