“Do I go before or after? That’s going to be my big decision,” Trump added, after confirming he has “already made that decision” when asked if he plans to run. These latest comments confirm earlier CNN reports about behind-the-scenes discussions consuming Trump’s inner circle as the former president and his top aides consider when to jump into the 2024 Republican primary to maximize the announcement’s impact. of — and prevent potential GOP rivals from challenging him. “I think a lot of people wouldn’t even run if I did that because if you look at the polls, they don’t even register,” Trump said. One of those Republicans is Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis, an emerging hero among grassroots conservatives whose actions — including his refusal to publicly rule out a primary challenge to Trump — have strongly suggested he may also be looking the White House. Trump has previously told advisers he believes he would easily defeat the Florida Republican in a primary, in addition to emphasizing his own enduring popularity among the GOP base in recent statements and posts on his Truth Social website. Inside Trump’s orbit, advisers have been divided over whether a primary announcement could weaken Republican chances in the midterms by refocusing the mainstream political debate on Trump — a deeply divisive figure whose ongoing false claims about the election of 2020 could endanger vulnerable GOP candidates who want to keep voters focused on their current economic woes. While aides believe he is all-in to run again, CNN previously reported that Trump’s indecision about the timing of a campaign announcement has some advisers on edge. “Every day is different. We’re told he’s going to announce right away, and by the afternoon, that’s changed,” a source with knowledge said. Meanwhile, a person close to Trump said that if he doesn’t announce this month, the most likely alternative would be to start the September campaign right around Labor Day.
