Last year, the New York Post described the launch of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign as a low point for Trump. Disappointing results for his handpicked candidates in the midterm elections had bruised his reputation, and conservative commentators like Ann Coulter had turned their backs on him. It appeared as if Trump had lost his momentum. His third campaign for the White House launched to little fanfare. However, Trump is now leading the race for the Republican nomination by a wide margin, with public opinion polls showing him significantly ahead of his opponents. Worryingly for Democrats, surveys also suggest President Joe Biden is trailing him in a potential match-up in the general elections.
This is happening despite Trump being the first former President to be charged with a crime. Trump’s legal troubles haven’t derailed his presidential campaign, and he is effectively maintaining his momentum. His personality and agenda remain popular with many Americans, as seen by his significant lead in public opinion polls. Rina Shah, a political strategist and commentator, stated that many Republican candidates who were backed by the former president last year tried to emulate his qualities without truly possessing them.
The public perceives Trump as a success story and a political outsider, a billionaire who can fix the problems in Washington, DC. Despite criticism, his strongman leadership style and fierce fight against the establishment are still appealing to many Americans. Trump’s energy appeared to have dwindled at the end of 2022, but he rediscovered it in 2023 with a rally in Texas, highlighting fears of a corrupt “deep state” and cultural decline.
Trump’s legal drama began in March when he was criminally charged in a New York state case, with additional federal charges brought against him later in the year. However, with each indictment, Trump’s popularity among Republican voters grew. His supporters interpreted the charges as proof of a corrupt legal system out to get him. Despite the seriousness of the charges, such as putting him behind bars for years, Trump’s supporters have rallied around him.
Although Trump’s Republican rivals have defended him and urged his support in light of these indictments, they have failed to close the gap in the polls where they trail him significantly. This suggests that despite the legal troubles, Trump is still the frontrunner for the Republican nomination and the general elections.