Trump claims it truly is time for new Senate GOP chief next McConnell wellness scare

Julia Johnson

July 31, 08:04 AM July 31, 08:05 AM

Former President Donald Trump claimed Senate Republicans need to have a new leader following a the latest wellbeing scare for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Trump, 77, mentioned in an interview, "We have to have that," when questioned if Republican senators have to have a new leader following McConnell, 81, froze up during a press convention last 7 days ahead of staying escorted away. The Kentucky Republican returned a couple minutes afterwards and briefed the push.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES Take a look at HOW Significantly THEY CAN GO IN CRITICIZING TRUMP

The previous president reacted to the episode, telling Breitbart it was "unfortunate." Trump even further reported he hopes that McConnell is well.

"We have some persons in the Senate that are great and would be good at that posture," he extra.

Following noting that the overall health celebration was "way too lousy," Trump steered the discussion towards hitting McConnell about coverage moves. "At the exact same time, I assume it’s a shame he went so considerably out to give Green New Offer money to Biden and Democrats. He got 10 persons to vote mainly because they required 10 people, and he got 10 people today to vote on a lot of instances for trillions of pounds," he explained.

Trump recalled McConnell's tumble before this year that left the senator hospitalized with a concussion and small rib fracture. McConnell wanted to total physical remedy adhering to the incident. "He had a undesirable drop, I guess, and likely an aftereffect of that," Trump said.

"But it was also unfortunate that he gave trillions and trillions and trillions of bucks to the Democrats to squander on the Environmentally friendly New Offer, destroying our oceans and destroying our excellent, gorgeous vistas and plains all around our region with windmills that are incredibly expensive electricity. So that is a incredibly unhappy thing also," he added in a further shot at McConnell's political maneuvers.

Adhering to the wellness scare past 7 days, McConnell's workplace managed he will serve out his comprehensive term. "Chief McConnell appreciates the ongoing aid of his colleagues, and ideas to provide his whole time period in the task they overwhelmingly elected him to do,” it explained in a assertion.

Will Hurd claims he 'expected' to get booed through Lincoln Working day Meal around Trump remarks

Asher Notheis

July 30, 08:14 PM July 30, 08:14 PM

2024 Republican presidential candidate Will Hurd said he "envisioned" for people to dislike his criticism of previous President Donald Trump through a speech he built on Friday, although he also famous that he was not predicted to acquire applause from other audience associates.

Hurd, a former Texas Congressman, has been 1 of the most vocal critics of the previous president amid his fellow most important candidates. He stated during the current Lincoln Working day Dinner that Trump was only running for president in 2024 "to stay out of prison," eliciting boos from some occasion-goers.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES Check HOW Significantly THEY CAN GO IN CRITICIZING TRUMP

“Of class, it was as expected," explained Hurd through an visual appearance on NBC's Meet the Press. "I understood there have been likely to be individuals that didn’t like it, but what I didn’t anticipate was there were being a great deal of persons that in fact clapped, and then there were being additional folks that just sat there politely and most likely recognize and knew what I was expressing was the reality."

Hurd included that the objective of his speech was, "to speak to the men and women that consider in individual responsibility," and to the folks who think the United States, "has a function in the world."

“Those had been the people today that I was going to talk to, and also to confirm to the relaxation of the subject that we’re working for an election, and if you’re scared to talk about Donald Trump or chat about his baggage, then you are not completely ready to be president of the United States."

The former Congressman is just one of two Republicans in the 2024 presidential race who have been the largest critics of Trump — the other staying former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Before this month, Christie call Trump "a liar and a coward" around Trump calling his indictment a "badge of honor."

A Monmouth University poll, released Tuesday, showed a combined 69% of Republican voters believe Trump is the strongest nominee to compete with President Joe Biden, with the variety being divided amongst 45% who voted “definitely strongest,” and 24% who chose “probably strongest.”

When pitted head to head with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in the similar poll, Trump arrived out on top at 55% support from GOP voters, when DeSantis bought 35%.

GOP senators split over Trump verdict: 'I'm looking at other candidates'

Samantha-Jo Roth

May 10, 06:00 AM May 10, 06:01 AM

Republican senators are further divided on whether former President Donald Trump should be the party's 2024 presidential nominee after a New York jury found him liable for battery and defamation in a civil trial.

The case stemmed from allegations Trump raped the writer E. Jean Carroll in a Manhattan department store nearly 30 years ago.

JURY ORDERS TRUMP TO PAY $5M IN DAMAGES TO CARROLL FOR BATTERY AND DEFAMATION

While the former president has denied wrongdoing in these matters, some Republican senators said they’d prefer to support another candidate in the 2024 race.

“I have a difficult time doing so,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) when asked by reporters if he’d support Trump after he was found liable for battery and defamation. “I’m not supporting Trump. I’m looking at other candidates.”

Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate who has openly feuded with the former president, admitted the verdict may not make a dent with his base but emphasized the growing number of legal problems could pose a risk to his 2024 bid to regain the White House.

“I do think there’s a cumulative effect, just the constant drama and chaos that always seems to surround him,” Thune told reporters on Tuesday. “But that doesn’t seem to impact his hardcore supporters. The question, I guess, is does it impact people in the middle who are going to decide a national election?”

The question of electability is also one Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) brought up.

“I don’t think he can get elected,” Cornyn told reporters on Tuesday. “You can’t win a general election with just your base.”

Following a two-week trial, jurors arrived at their verdict after 2 ½ hours of deliberating, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. The jury didn’t find Trump committed rape but found it more likely than not that he sexually abused Carroll in a dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s and that he defamed Carroll in comments he made, denying her allegations.

The verdict delivered on Tuesday is the latest blow for Trump as he seeks the 2024 Republican presidential nomination while facing a growing number of legal headaches. In a different case in New York, he’s facing criminal charges connected to the payment of hush money to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election and other investigations probing his involvement with Georgia election officials after the 2020 election, his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection and how he handled classified documents at his private residence at Mar-a-Lago.

Nearly a dozen Republicans senators have already endorsed Trump’s 2024 bid, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). The latest legal action has Trump’s supporters digging in, questioning the fairness of the legal process in what they're calling a “liberal stronghold” in New York.

“I think the New York Legal system is off the rails when it comes to Donald Trump,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who has endorsed his run.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) dismissed the verdict, saying it was only “civil action.” The Missouri senator stopped short of endorsing his run but said he’d be surprised if Trump did not become the Republican nominee.

“I think he’ll be the nominee. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t,” Hawley told reporters on Tuesday. “I think the general election is going to be an interesting affair because we are going to have whatever the situation ends up being here. I mean, the former president will appeal, so wherever we’re at with this by that point.”

Hawley isn’t alone. Many Senate Republicans have said publicly and privately that Trump is consolidating his support within the GOP and looks likely to become the nominee in 2024 despite looming legal problems. The former president has doubled his lead in recent polling over rival Ron DeSantis, Florida's GOP governor, since Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted him in late March.

While some Republicans like Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), one of the most prominent critics of the 45th president within the GOP, voiced their skepticism with the earlier Trump indictment, the Utah senator finds this most recent verdict more troubling.

“The jury of Donald Trump’s peers found him guilty of sexual assault. I hope the jury of the American people conclude as well that he should not be the next nominee for the Republican Party or the president,” Romney said.

Thune acknowledged the divisions within the conference, with some members deciding to continue to stand by Trump through all matters of adversity, but doubted it would have an impact on the Senate’s work.

“I think most senators in the end are going to do what they think is right for them and the constituency they represent,” Thune said, “We’re going to continue to do our work. The campaigns at some point will get more fully formed, and I assume there will be other candidates out there. In the meantime, we’ll just try and keep our heads down and do the stuff we are supposed to do.”

Ronna McDaniel predicts E. Jean Carroll verdict will not hurt Trump in 2024

Misty Severi

May 09, 07:52 PM May 09, 07:52 PM

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel predicted that Tuesday's verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case against former President Donald Trump will not hurt his chances in 2024.

McDaniel claimed that because the election was so far away, voters would not want to hear about the verdict or any other legal problems the former president faces by the time of the Republican primaries in March.

TRUMP 2024 GOP RIVALS LARGELY TIPTOE AROUND SEXUAL ASSAULT VERDICT

“I think we’ve got a long way until the primary process begins,” McDaniel told WHD News host Martha MacCallum. “We’ve got debates in August. As a suburban woman myself, I think a lot of women right now are looking at the Biden administration and saying, ‘Our kids are still struggling in school. Our kids are being used as pawns on TikTok as China is gathering their data.”

McDaniel listed topics like inflation, high crime rates, border issues, and gas prices as topics that will still be relevant ahead of the election next year that would be bigger concerns to voters than Trump's legal battles.

"People want closure, they want to move on, and they want to talk about what is happening in their lives," McDaniel said. "I think a lot of Americans want the focus to come back to them and the issues that matter in their lives. They don't want to see ... investigation after investigation after investigation that we have now seen for over six years."

The GOP leader's comments come after a jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million to Carroll, who claimed the former president raped, sexually abused, and defamed her. The jury ruled that Trump was liable for the defamation and sexual abuse but not for the rape allegation.

The standard for the jury to make the determination in civil cases, the preponderance of the evidence, is lower than in criminal court, where the jury must find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Tuesday's verdict is only the latest in a series of legal issues pending against Trump. He is also facing a civil lawsuit against himself and his company for fraud and is being investigated for possibly obstructing the investigation into the classified records recovered from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. He has also been indicted on 34 charges related to the alleged falsifying business records for hush money payments he had paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump will be appealing Tuesday's verdict, a statement from the former president's campaign said.

DeSantis supporters leap to his defense against Trump ahead of primary fight

Naomi Lim

April 18, 05:30 AM April 18, 05:30 AM

Voters are getting a glimpse of what is shaping up to be an ugly 2024 Republican presidential primary between the top contenders, declared candidate former President Donald Trump and undeclared Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

But while DeSantis's supporters are now more vociferously jumping to his defense, with the governor not expected to announce a campaign until Florida's 2023 legislative session concludes next month, he risks being defined by Trump while the governor and his allies criticize the former president for his temperament and policy positions amid his mounting legal challenges.

BIDEN TRIES TO BREAK THROUGH AS GOP PRIMARY BRAWL STARTS

Last week, Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. launched its second TV ad attacking DeSantis, claiming he sought cuts to Social Security and Medicare, in addition to trying to raise the retirement age to 70. The 30-second spot, which came after a $3 million buy last month, also mocks DeSantis for allegedly eating chocolate pudding with three fingers in a 2019 anecdote reported by the Daily Beast.

Two days later, Never Back Down, the DeSantis-aligned super PAC, hit back during WHD News Sunday with its first TV ad, asking, “What happened to Donald Trump?" and urging the former president to "fight Democrats," not "lie" about the governor regarding entitlement reform. The previous day, the group had described Trump as a "gun grabber" during a 90-second digit spot geo-targeted to the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"About time," Republican strategist John Feehery told the Washington Examiner. "Trump is starting to land some blows in defining DeSantis. About time that DeSantis starts fighting back."

But Claremont McKenna College politics professor John Pitney, a former Republican staffer, was uncertain about the Never Back Down ad's audience as Trump continues to dominate early polls. Months before the first GOP debate this summer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump averages 52% of the primary electorate to DeSantis' 24%, according to RealClearPolitics. Simultaneously, Trump raised roughly $14 million during the first quarter of 2023, particularly around the time of his indictment in March.

"Here is the message: 'Trump is stealing pages from the Biden-Pelosi playbook,'" Pitney said of President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Do the DeSantis people really think that they can convince Republicans that Trump is too much like Biden and Pelosi? That seems pretty unlikely."

"Here's the problem for DeSantis," he added. "From the standpoint of hard evidence, the strongest arguments against Trump are that he's corrupt, that he stole government documents, and that he illegally tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But Republicans don't like those arguments."

Former Texas Republican Party Chairman Tom Pauken, who no longer backs Trump, contended DeSantis's other problem is that Democrats "want" the former president to be the 2024 nominee. For Pauken, DeSantis is better positioned to win a general election than Trump, standing by the governor's decision to downplay Florida's new six-week abortion ban.

"Well, it got done," Pauken said. "He [came] down on the side of life. ... I understand that there's a great division over abortion. But he signed the law, and he's focusing on the issues that he's really been in the fight over, which is the wokeism and taking on Disney."

The ads underscore concerns related to Biden, the White House, and Democrats scrutinizing Republicans over Social Security and Medicare, as well as the tone for the GOP primary between Trump and DeSantis.

The Trump spots cite votes DeSantis took in 2013, 2014, and 2015 when he was a congressman to change Social Security and the retirement age, as well as votes in 2013 and 2015 to tinker with Medicare. In response, Never Back Down points to DeSantis saying last month that he is "not going to mess with Social Security" and comments Trump made in 2020 that he would "look" at entitlement programs "at some point."

Trump has more recently repeated that Republicans should not "cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security." But his presidential budgets proposed decreases to the programs, and in 2012, Trump said then-GOP presidential standard-bearer Mitt Romney and vice presidential pick Paul Ryan's ideas would "save Medicare."

"We can also raise the age for receipt of full Social Security benefits to seventy," Trump wrote in his 2000 book, The America We Deserve. "We have to allow individuals to invest some portion of their Social Security funds in investments that are real and conservative. ... Privatization would be good for all of us."

MAGA Inc. spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New Hampshire last year, even backed privatizing Social Security and upping the retirement age on the trail.

A Republican operative supporting Trump's campaign quipped this was not "a smart road for the DeSantis camp to go down."

"His PAC's spokesman Matt Wolking used to praise Trump for building the wall and now claims he didn't," the source said. "The fact that they're responding to this shows how vulnerable they know they are on this issue."

Chris Christie says Trump has not 'cleared' 2024 GOP primary field

Jack Birle

April 16, 06:14 PM April 16, 06:27 PM

Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) cautioned those calling former President Donald Trump the likely 2024 nominee that he has not "cleared" the field of fellow GOP primary candidates.

Christie dismissed the idea Trump had already cleared the field despite some 2024 contenders, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, opting against challenging the former president. Trump is considered the frontrunner in the field, with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) close behind in several polls, but with other contenders far behind the two leaders.

SUPER PAC BACKING DESANTIS RELEASES FIRST TV AD: 'TRUMP SHOULD FIGHT DEMOCRATS'

"I don’t think the field is starting to look like Trump. When you’re indicted in one place and you’re facing investigations in two others, it makes you at least an uncertain winner. But again, he’s the former president. So course he’s going to be the front runner. He has the best name ID of anybody in the race. But you already have four candidates who announced," Christie said on ABC's This Week on Sunday.

"This is what I said a couple months ago on this show. This is not going to be a 2016 field. This is going to be six to eight candidates that are going to be running. It will be a normal type sized field. But certainly it won’t be a field that Donald Trump has cleared," Christie added.

Christie also said that he believes the 2024 contenders who announced they would not run, likely did it for personal reasons rather than seeing the primary as Trump's to lose.

"You see Asa Hutchinson in the race and Nikki Haley in the race, now Tim Scott in the race. These are substantial people who are going to have something to say. And so I don’t think that’s what it means at all," Christie said. "I do think each one of these decisions were made on rather personal levels. I think, in particular, Pompeo's was a decision, that was just he didn’t want to do it. And boy you got to really want to do it to be able to get in."

Christie, who ran for president in 2016, has teased that he may run again in 2024 but would not announce a decision on This Week when asked directly.

Donald Trump arrest: Former president arrives at Manhattan courthouse for arraignment in hush money case

Cami Mondeaux

April 04, 01:24 PM April 04, 01:36 PM

Former President Donald Trump arrived at the courthouse in downtown Manhattan on Tuesday to surrender himself to District Attorney Alvin Bragg before his arraignment is scheduled to take place later in the afternoon.

Trump emerged from Trump Tower just after 1 p.m. wearing a suit and red tie while pumping his fist to the crowd gathered outside the building. He then got into his motorcade along with his security detail to make the drive to lower Manhattan.

TRUMP’S GAME PLAN TO SLOW DOWN CRIMINAL CASE

Trump arrived at Bragg’s office at 1:25 p.m. to be escorted to Judge Juan Merchan, who will hand down the former president’s criminal charges. The streets were lined with dozens of journalists and Trump supporters in the hours before his arrival, with some camping out in front of the courthouse overnight.

Trump posted on his Truth Social account just minutes before he surrendered to New York authorities, calling the moment "surreal."

"Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse," he wrote. "Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can't believe this is happening in America. MAGA!"

Trump is scheduled to appear before Merchan around 2:15 p.m. in a proceeding that is expected to be quick and understated, as he is not expected to be placed in handcuffs or have a mugshot taken. However, the arraignment marks a historic moment as Trump is the first former president to face criminal charges — a precedent that has riled up much of his base, who decry the charges as being politically motivated.

The former president is expected to address reporters before he enters the courtroom, where he'll make his first public statements since arriving in New York for his arraignment.

The scene outside the courthouse got particularly heated in the hours ahead of Trump's arrival, as a group of Trump supporters clashed with some counterprotesters prompting a response from law enforcement. The group of counterprotesters held a large banner reading, "Trump lies all the time," which caused a supporter of the former president to charge the group and begin ripping the sign.

Police were able to disperse the altercation and began conducting additional security sweeps outside the courthouse.

It’s not yet clear whether Trump will need to post bail on Tuesday afternoon. Merchan will make that decision after announcing the charges.

Trump’s indictment has remained sealed since being announced on Thursday, but it’s been reported that he faces at least 34 criminal counts including falsifying business records. Trump has denied all wrongdoing and has said he will plead not guilty.

Trump arrived in New York just before 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon before he headed to Trump Tower for the night ahead of his Tuesday arraignment. The former president released a statement on his Truth Social account just hours after his arrival, accusing Bragg of leaking the details of his indictment to the press.

"Wow! District Attorney Bragg just illegally LEAKED the various points, and complete information, on the pathetic Indictment against me," Trump wrote. "This means that he MUST BE IMMEDIATELY INDICTED. Now, if he wants to really clean up his reputation, he will do the honorable thing and, as District Attorney, INDICT HIMSELF."

Law enforcement in New York have increased security detail around the courthouse ahead of Trump's appearance, with Mayor Eric Adams warning protesters not to get too rowdy — specifically calling out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who will lead a protest outside the courthouse on Tuesday.

“While there may be some rabble rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves,” Adams said.

Greene shot back at Adams, accusing the New York mayor of using intimidation tactics to silence opposition.

“Delusional [Eric Adams] is trying to intimidate, threaten, and stop me from using my 1st amendment rights to peacefully protest the Democrat’s unconstitutional weaponization of our justice system against our top Republican Presidential candidate, President Trump,” she said in a tweet. “Should I be the one concerned that the mayor of NYC will weaponize his government or maybe his thugs like DA Alvin Bragg against me?”

Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was also seen outside the courthouse hours before Trump's arraignment began as he denounced the charges, noting it sets a dangerous precedent.

"What stops the next prosecutor in two years?” he told reporters.

Trump’s surrender comes after a grand jury in Manhattan voted on Thursday to indict the former president on charges related to a hush money case that emerged during his first White House bid in 2016.

Reports of a looming indictment emerged after former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified before the Manhattan grand jury multiple times earlier this month. Cohen was convicted in 2018 after pleading guilty to paying two women who accused Trump of sexual affairs to be silent, including adult film star Stormy Daniels.

As part of the scheme, Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 and was later reimbursed by the Trump Organization.

Manhattan prosecutors later opened an investigation into whether Trump falsified business records to list the reimbursement as a legal expense. Such a crime is a misdemeanor in New York but could be increased to a felony if Bragg's office argues the fraud was intended to conceal a second crime.

At the time of Cohen’s trial, federal prosecutors did not press charges against Trump due to guidance from the Justice Department that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. However, prosecutors revived discussions about possible charges shortly before Trump left office in 2021. They ultimately declined to charge him.

Trump legal team considering request to move Manhattan trial to Staten Island: Report

Cami Mondeaux

April 01, 02:00 PM April 01, 02:00 PM

The legal team for Donald Trump is reportedly considering a request to move his criminal trial case from Manhattan to a courthouse in Staten Island due to concerns the former president won’t get a fair trial.

Trump’s lawyers have not decided whether to submit a request to move the trial as the legal team is waiting to see what the specific charges in the case are, a source familiar with the situation told Bloomberg News. Trump is expected to appear at a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday for his arraignment, during which his charges will be unsealed for the first time.

DONALD TRUMP INDICTED: FORMER PRESIDENT’S GAME PLAN TO SLOW DOWN CRIMINAL CASE

It’s unlikely that prosecutors will agree to move the trial as defendants are not entitled to pick juries that may lean more favorably toward them, according to legal experts.

“The only reason he would try to move venues to Staten Island is that he thinks — based on voter registration — that that’s a friendlier potential jury pool for him,” Jennifer Rodgers, a former federal prosecutor, told the outlet. “That’s not going to fly.”

The expected surrender comes after a grand jury in Manhattan voted on Thursday to indict the former president on charges related to a hush-money case that emerged during Trump’s first White House bid in 2016. The indictment marks the first time a former president has been criminally charged.

Trump was initially asked to surrender on Friday, but his lawyers told New York officials that the former president's security detail would need more time to prepare, according to the .

Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing and has accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of leading a politically motivated prosecution against him. He has also denied any affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, who had been looking to make her story known during Trump's 2016 campaign.

The hush money case centers on testimony from Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to paying two women who accused Trump of sexual affairs to be silent, including Daniels. As part of the scheme, Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 and was later reimbursed by the Trump Organization.

Manhattan prosecutors later opened an investigation into whether Trump falsified business records to list the reimbursement as a legal expense. Such a crime is a misdemeanor in New York but could be increased to a felony if Bragg's office argues the fraud was intended to conceal a second crime.

At the time of Cohen’s trial, federal prosecutors did not press charges against Trump due to guidance from the Justice Department that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. However, prosecutors revived discussions about possible charges shortly before Trump left office in 2021.

Donald Trump indicted: Can he turn Manhattan grand jury vote into 2024 gold?

W. James Antle III

March 30, 07:22 PM March 30, 07:22 PM

Former President Donald Trump’s long anticipated New York indictment, handed down on Thursday, will test whether he can continue to defy the laws of political gravity.

The rumors of the Manhattan grand jury indictment, stoked by Trump himself, rallied the Republican base behind the former president, who has already announced for 2024.

DESANTIS VS. TRUMP AS THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

Rank-and-file Republican voters are animated by the belief that the criminal justice system has been weaponized against conservatives. Trump’s argument is that this can be done to him, it could happen to any of his supporters.

“A former president, a current candidate and my friend President Donald J. Trump is a victim of a corrupt and distorted version of the American justice system and history,” Trump attorney Alina Habba said in a statement afterward. “He will be vindicated.”

Trump himself described the indictment as “Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.”

“The Democrats have cheated countless times over the decades, including spying on my campaign, but weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President, has never happened before,” he continued. “Ever.”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is viewed as a partisan figure. The legal case is believed by some experts to not be very strong. The issues at hand — the charges are believed to be related to the payment of hush money to a porn star — are less consequential than those involving Jan. 6, the 2020 election, or Trump’s handling of classified documents.

But there is no guarantee that this will continue to redound to Trump’s benefit. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is not a declared candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. But the expected contender has already displayed a willingness to relitigate Trump’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels, a story that might not age well with social conservatives. And central to the Florida governor’s appeal is that he is a no-drama alternative to Trump.

Trump, by contrast, is leaning into the drama. He has denounced Bragg as the latest of his Democratic tormentors. He held his first rally since the indictment reports began circulating in Waco, Texas, the site of the deadly federal raid on the Branch Davidians’ compound in 1993.

Nearly any other candidate would have to suspend their campaign in response to a development of this nature. Trump could easily use his mugshot or images of his perp walk to galvanize the Republican base. He has denied reports that he would welcome being shot during an arrest, but many in his orbit are seeking to turn his legal woes into a political windfall.

"The unprecedented election interference from corrupt Socialist District Attorney Alvin Bragg is a political witch-hunt and a dark day for America,” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said in a statement.

President Joe Biden and the White House have remained quiet about Trump’s latest legal issues. Many Republicans allege the indictment is designed to aid Biden politically, pointing to the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation during the 2016 campaign.

Trump has survived two impeachments, the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, his 2020 reelection defeat, and his role in a disappointing midterm election result for Republicans with his hold on the base intact.

It is possible that even if an indictment helps Trump in the Republican primaries, it won’t have the same effect in a general election. Trump will carry the distinction of being the first president ever to be indicted, a marker that does not seem likely to enable him to win back suburban voters who swung against him four years ago.

Both Biden and DeSantis are likely to play up the chaotic nature of Trump’s presidency. The headlines surrounding a criminal trial will help feed that narrative.

There is also the possibility that the Manhattan grand jury will only be the beginning of the legal troubles Trump will face, with other investigations brewing elsewhere on multiple fronts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE IN THE

But for now, Trump is betting he can benefit politically from a legal development that would doom any more conventional campaign. To him, the grand jury vote is the ultimate proof of his argument that he is the victim of a sustained witch hunt.

The question is how long Republican primary voters will agree.

DeSantis hit with second ethics complaint before prospective presidential bid takes off

Cami Mondeaux

March 28, 08:09 AM March 28, 08:25 AM

The head of the Florida Democratic Party filed a complaint against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), marking a second possible ethics violation before the Republican governor has even launched a White House bid.

Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, filed an ethics complaint against DeSantis on Monday, alleging the governor’s political committee of receiving improper gifts and spending money that is unrelated to the group’s formal business. The complaint comes after the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC held a retreat at a Palm Beach resort earlier this year as a way for DeSantis to meet with donors and GOP elected officials.

TRUMP RIPS INTO DESANTIS’S DWINDLING POLL NUMBERS AS 2024 FEUD ESCALATES

“I just filed a state ethics complaint against Gov. DeSantis for accepting prohibited gifts from his political committee,” Fried tweeted. “And to the rest of the [Republicans], you may want to check all of your financial filings and campaign reports, as you all are next.”

The complaint centers on a $235,000 payment made by Friends of Ron DeSantis to the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach in February at an event to celebrate the “Florida blueprint.” State law prohibits candidates from receiving gifts from political committees, including loans, donations, or “anything of value that is not primarily related to contributions.”

Fried denounced the retreat as a way for DeSantis to huddle with top Republican leaders "to increase his national profile in advance of an anticipated run for the Republican nomination as President.”

The Democratic chairwoman cited a handful of other improper payments in her complaint, including a $142,388 payment toward the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami and $11,895 to Dirty French Steakhouse. If found in violation, DeSantis could be subject to a penalty “equal to three times the amount of the gifts,” according to state law.

A spokesperson for the governor rejected the accusations, maintaining the events were not held improperly.

“Just like the [ethics complaint] from two weeks ago, we’ll just add this to the list of frivolous & politically motivated attacks,” Taryn Fenske said, referring to an initial ethics complaint filed against DeSantis earlier this month. “Louder for the Dems in the back: It’s inappropriate to use ethics complaints for partisan purposes.”

DeSantis was hit with a similar ethics complaint by a super PAC backing former President Donald Trump for the nomination. That complaint requested the state GOP to investigate whether DeSantis is using his elected office as leverage to elevate his national profile ahead of a presidential run.

DeSantis has not yet announced a White House run, but the Florida governor is widely expected to do so in the coming weeks. Should he choose to run, the Florida governor is set to be a competitive candidate and top challenger to Trump’s reelection bid.

Top takeaways from Trump's first rally since news of looming indictment threat

Cami Mondeaux

March 25, 10:07 PM March 25, 10:07 PM

A familiar version of Donald Trump was on full display Saturday evening as the former president addressed an energized crowd of hundreds of supporters in his first official campaign rally in Waco, Texas.

The event marked Trump’s first public appearance since reports emerged about looming indictment charges related to a hush money case that began during his first presidential run in 2016. Trump capitalized on those threats as he spoke to attendees, seeking to use the possible charges as a way to paint himself as a victim of political attacks while he seeks a return to the Oval Office.

WATCH LIVE: TRUMP HOLDS FIRST 2024 CAMPAIGN RALLY IN TEXAS AS INDICTMENT FEARS LOOM

“As far as the eye can see, the abuses of power that we’re currently witnessing at all levels of government will go down as among the most shameful, corrupt, and depraved chapters in all of American history,” Trump told the crowd. “The thugs and criminals who are corrupting our justice system will be defeated, discredited, and totally disgraced. That’s what’s been happening from the beginning, it’s been one witch hunt and phony investigation after another.”

Trump also leaned into old campaign habits throughout the rally, firing off against his critics and political challengers while seeking to position himself as the best option for the GOP nomination in 2024.

Here are five key moments from Trump’s rally:

‘It’s bulls***’: Trump addresses indictment charges for first time

Trump denounced efforts by the Manhattan district attorney’s office to indict him, decrying possible criminal charges as being politically motivated to tarnish his reputation ahead of a crucial election cycle.

Trump lamented the ongoing investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as being “rigged” by Democrats, arguing the inquiry was being improperly used to make him ineligible for the 2024 presidential election.

“Can you imagine that in order to prosecute and do everything he could to get rid of Trump because you know our poll numbers are through the roof,” Trump told a crowd of supporters on Saturday. “They don’t like it.”

Trump denied any wrongdoing in the Manhattan investigation, which centers on allegations that Trump paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a sexual affair while he was running for office. Trump denied both the affair and the payments during the rally, arguing prosecutors “have nothing.”

“The Department of Injustice in Washington, D.C., was investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not an affair. I never liked Horseface,” Trump said, referring to a nickname he has previously used for Daniels.

Trump hammers dangers of ‘Deep State’ on backdrop of Waco massacre

Trump extended his criticisms to the federal government at large, framing the 2024 election as crucial to stopping Democrats’ “demonic forces” that he said are destroying the country.

“Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State. That's the way it's got to be,” Trump said.

His comments were delivered on the backdrop of the Waco massacre that occurred 30 years ago that white supremacists and militia activists still view as "proof that the government—now usually called the Deep State—is out to get them," Dr. Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Alabama-based Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, told the Washington Examiner.

The Waco siege was a 51-day stand-off in the spring of 1993 that occurred when FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents battled residents inside the Branch Davidian complex for control of the property from its leader, David Koresh. Since then, the event has become one of the nation's most infamous citizen showdowns against the government.

In total, four federal agents and 82 Branch Davidians, including 28 children, died in the incident.

Trump's campaign spokesman didn't mention whether the symbolism of the anti-government landmark was intentional, but he noted Waco was the "ideal location" because of its proximity to Texas's major metropolitan areas and its infrastructure to host "a rally of this magnitude."

Trump ramps up attacks against DeSantis, taking credit for Florida governor’s successes

Trump ramped up attacks against Gov. Ron DeSantis, ripping into the Florida Republican for his dwindling poll numbers and recent criticism leveled against the former president.

Trump reiterated previous comments taking credit for DeSantis’s successes in the Sunshine state, telling supporters that the Florida governor’s political career would be “dead” without Trump’s popularity. Trump recalled stories of DeSantis asking the former president for his endorsement in 2018, which he claimed allowed the Florida governor to become “like a rocketship.”

“We laugh at him now, but he was one of the hottest people in politics,” Trump said. “But I think we’re doing well, I mean we’re up … in the polls in the last four or five in the last month.”

Trump also attacked DeSantis on some key policy issues, accusing the Florida Republican of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits — something that has become a flashpoint issue ahead of the 2024 election cycle. DeSantis has previously responded to similar attacks, noting he and other Republicans will not “mess with” the welfare programs.

Trump takes hard stance on war in Ukraine, warns of impending World War III

Going further, Trump went to great lengths to separate himself from DeSantis regarding the war in Ukraine, pledging to end the conflict should he be elected to a second term. He pointed to the working relationship he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his White House term, arguing an invasion was never something that was discussed.

"I'm going to get a settlement very quickly," Trump told supporters. "As president, I will end the inflation nightmare and rebuild the greatest economy in the history of the world just like we had it before.”

He also offered warnings to attendees that the U.S. is “heading into World War III,” positioning himself as the “only candidate” to prevent such a global conflict from happening.

“This will be a war like no other,” Trump said. "Not only is Biden courting nuclear holocaust, he's blowing up the U.S. economy with the Biden banking crisis."

Trump announces Texas campaign team stacked with high-profile Republicans

Trump used the night to tout his campaign’s strength despite pending legal battles, unveiling his initial leadership team that includes a slate of several high-profile Republican lawmakers on both the state and federal level.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton will both play key roles in Trump’s campaign, as well as 10 GOP members of Texas’s congressional delegation including Reps Ronny Jackson, Troy Nehls, Wesley Hunt, Michael Burgess, Pete Sessions, John Carter, Randy Weber, Roger Williams, Brian Babin, Beth Van Duyne, and Pat Fallon.

The key team appointments come as Trump seeks to establish Texas as “Trump country” early on in the primary season before the GOP field gets too crowded. His campaign has spent weeks touting polling numbers coming out of the Lone Star state over the last few months that show Trump overcoming an early lead by DeSantis in January to lead the field by 16 points in March.

“In conclusion, our MAGA movement is the greatest political movement in the history of our country,” Trump said. “No matter how hateful and corrupt the communist criminals we’re fighting against, you must never forget this nation does not belong to them. This nation belongs to you.”

Anna Giaritelli contributed to this report.

A criminal indictment won't cost Trump endorsement from key GOP senator

Samantha-Jo Roth

March 22, 07:47 PM March 22, 07:47 PM

A criminal indictment won't be grounds for Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) to pull his endorsement of Donald Trump's third White House bid.

As a Manhattan grand jury weighs charges related to a $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star, Trump could make history as the first former president to be criminally charged. Schmitt, one of five senators to have already pledged support for Trump's reelection, downplayed any looming indictment as a political attack with little merit.

TRUMP INDICTMENT: MANHATTAN GRAND JURY DELAYS DECISION TO CHARGE FORMER PRESIDENT

“This is a political prosecution in search of a crime that won’t affect my support of President Trump,” Schmitt told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday in an interview from his temporary office in the basement of the Russell Senate Office Building. “I think this is a very, very dangerous road to go down."

Schmitt, who was endorsed by Trump in his Senate race, defended the former president while condemning Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is leading the investigation. Like other prominent Republicans, Schmitt sought to discredit Bragg by connecting him to Democratic donor and businessman George Soros. Bragg did receive financial support from Soros during his campaign in 2021.

“The idea that you would have a Soros-funded prosecutor that campaigned on this, you know, seeking to criminally charge President Trump, is dangerous,” Schmitt said.

The latest drama surrounding Trump is once again threatening to divide the Republican Party and overshadow their messaging plans. Some Republicans have expressed frustration privately that the former president continues to distract from their legislative agenda and that it’s time to move on. Schmitt, however, does not share that opinion.

“People can make their own decisions. But, you know, I’ve made my position very clear,” Schmitt said.

Some Republicans have avoided weighing in ahead of a potential indictment. Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, sidestepped a question Tuesday on whether he’d feel comfortable with Trump as the GOP nominee if he were to be charged criminally.

“That’s a hypothetical question that’s a long ways off. We’ve got a number of candidates who are looking at and are already in the race,” Thune said during a press conference on Wednesday. “I don’t think that’s in any Republican’s best interest to speculate about what might happen in a Republican primary.”

The race is on: Here’s what Trump is looking for in possible running mate

Cami Mondeaux

March 16, 08:44 AM March 16, 08:44 AM

The presidential primaries are just under a year away, and the list of possible candidates is far from settled. Still, former President Donald Trump is already eyeing options for his possible running mate.

Several Republicans are already positioning themselves as contenders to run alongside Trump, who has emerged as an early front-runner, while other party members mull a White House bid. The fight for the No. 2 position is a break from the typical primary process, as candidates usually announce a presidential bid for themselves before jockeying as one’s running mate.

THREE ROADBLOCKS LOOMING OVER TRUMP’S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

“A lot of people are right now auditioning,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in Florida last month.

High-profile conservatives are flocking to Trump’s side as he kicks off his campaign, including lawmakers such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who went to cheer on Trump’s speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month.

However, spokespeople for the former president say a vice presidential search is not under discussion.

“We appreciate all support for President Trump, but the clear focus is on making sure that he wins the Republican nomination and is well posited to win the general election in 2024,” said longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller, according to the .

Still, Trump has frequently talked about options for his running mate — even before he launched his campaign in November. And the former president has a list of traits he’s searching for in a partner.

First and foremost, Trump is looking for someone who is loyal and will back his plans. This comes after Trump felt somewhat betrayed by former Vice President Mike Pence when he refused to decertify the results of the 2020 election at Trump’s request.

Trump has criticized Pence for that decision, even going so far as to say that his former running mate was to blame for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

“Had he sent the votes back to the legislatures, they wouldn’t have had a problem with Jan. 6, so in many ways, you can blame him,” Trump told reporters in Davenport, Iowa, on Monday. “Had he sent them back to Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, the states, I believe ... you would have had a different outcome. But I also believe you wouldn’t have had 'Jan. 6,' as we call it.”

Trump is also reportedly considering choosing a female running mate this time around, especially one who has garnered enough star power within conservative circles. Still, the former president has indicated reluctance to choose someone who could overpower him on the campaign trail — which could rule out firebrand members of his party such as Greene or Kari Lake, who ran for governor in Arizona last year.

Trump is likely to choose someone who more closely mirrors his personality — marking a shift in strategy from 2016 when he chose Pence, who, in many ways, stood in stark contrast to Trump’s demeanor.

“I think the president learned a lot from his experience with Pence,” Trump adviser Michael Caputo said. “I think this time Trump’s going to be looking for someone cut from the same cloth he is, not from a different, complementary cloth.”

Trump reportedly has a long list of choices he is considering as a possible running mate, which includes former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). Haley has already launched her own presidential bid, and Scott is considering one.

Regardless, Trump said he feels confident in his options.

“We’re going to have a lot of great choices for vice president,” Trump said earlier this week. “We’re gonna pick a great one.”

Biden enlists team of top Democrats to boost reelection bid

Cami Mondeaux

March 03, 08:12 AM March 03, 08:12 AM

President Joe Biden is enlisting a team of top Democrats to travel nationwide and boost his standing as a way to unify the party ahead of his likely reelection bid, which he is expected to announce sometime in the coming months.

Biden has recruited a team of governors, senators, and other high-profile Democrats to travel across the country and tout the White House’s accomplishments during his first term, according to the Washington Post. As part of the effort, Biden’s hand-picked team members will be tasked with giving speeches, appearing on television, and performing other duties to breathe life into Biden’s campaign before he announces a reelection bid.

BIDEN WON’T VETO GOP-LED RESOLUTION OVERRIDING DC CRIME LAW, DEALING BLOW TO DEMOCRATS

The president is actively recruiting members to join the team, which will be headquartered at the Democratic National Committee and unveiled sometime this month, the outlet reported. Biden has already enlisted 20 members, including Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), Wes Moore (D-MD), Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), Phil Murphy (D-NJ), and Josh Shapiro (D-PA).

The team will also feature prominent Democratic lawmakers such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), as well as longtime Biden allies Sens. Christopher A. Coons (D-DE) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), according to the outlet.

The national advisory board marks one of Biden’s earliest efforts to boost his national standing ahead of his expected reelection campaign and comes as Democrats face challenges to defend the White House and Senate in 2024. One of the main goals of the national team is to showcase unity within the party and give Democrats a chance to rally behind one candidate — an advantage they'll have over Republicans during the primary cycle.

Three Republican candidates have already thrown their hats in the ring for the GOP nomination, including former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The field is expected to grow even more crowded over the coming months, setting the stage for Republicans to split on who they throw their support behind.

Biden is not expected to face a major primary challenge for the nomination, with only author Marianne Williamson announcing a bid against him so far. Williamson previously ran against Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2020 but failed to garner much support in the crowded field of 29 major candidates.

Meanwhile, it appears that Democrats will rally behind Biden should he choose to run for a second term. As a result, party members are considering ways to tout Biden’s accomplishments — which polling suggests goes largely unnoticed by most voters.

A majority of voters (62%) say Biden has accomplished “not very much” or “little or nothing” during his first two years compared to just 36% who say he has accomplished “a great deal” or “a good amount,” according to recent polling from ABC News and the Washington Post.

It’s not clear when Biden will launch his expected reelection campaign, although it’s expected to come sometime in April. When a reporter pressed Biden on when he plans to make the announcement, he responded, “When I announce it.”

Iowa Republicans 'shop around' for 2024 alternative to Trump

Cami Mondeaux

February 23, 04:00 AM February 23, 04:00 AM

DES MOINES, Iowa — Nearly 100 Iowans packed into the Reading Room on the third floor of the Cowles Library at Drake University on Wednesday, huddling together in the small study space to learn more about prospective 2024 candidate Tim Scott (R-SC).

Many who attended Scott's speech said they weren’t entirely familiar with his background or experience, while others told the Washington Examiner they were simply taking advantage of the opportunity to hear a potential presidential candidate speak.

Several attendees described the event as a chance to scope out alternatives to former President Donald Trump as the GOP primary field for 2024 begins to take shape.

TIM SCOTT CALLS FOR ‘COMMON GROUND’ CONSERVATISM IN CAMPAIGN-STYLE TRIP TO IOWA

“I'm very open-minded. I used to be a registered Republican, now I'm an independent, and I just [want to] see who I align with the most,” said Jennifer Pittham, a graduate of Drake University who attended the event on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to shop around and see who I like the most.”

Although Scott has not yet declared a run for president, the South Carolina senator has fueled speculation by embarking on a national listening tour, a move that followed the launch of his Opportunity Matters Fund PAC late last year.

Scott, who is the only black Republican in the Senate, is trying to position himself as a "common ground" conservative in what could end up being a crowded GOP primary in 2024. However, he has made a habit of working in the background since he arrived in the upper chamber in 2013 — possibly losing out on the national name recognition some of his would-be rivals enjoy.

“I'm interested in Tim Scott as a candidate. I identify more as a libertarian, but I think that he could definitely be a good choice,” said John Grant, a student at Drake University. “I’m just kind of exploring candidates that you don’t [see] a whole lot of media attention about.”

The comment came during Scott’s second stop on his national “Faith in America” listening tour as the South Carolina senator attends several campaign-style events throughout central Iowa. His trip coincides with that of several other prospective GOP candidates flocking to the Hawkeye State as the primary cycle begins to ramp up.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley made her first trip to Iowa on Monday, holding a campaign event just one week after she announced her White House bid. Haley, like Scott, has called for a fresh brand of leadership, billing herself as the best candidate to help lead the country past "division and distractions."

"We’re ready. Ready to move past the stale ideas and faded names of the past. And we are more than ready for a new generation to lead us into the future,” Haley said in her campaign announcement video.

The remarks echo Scott's speech in Des Moines on Wednesday, where he denounced Democratic politicians who feed "the empty calories of anger to people who are starving for hope."

Mike Pence has also made the rounds in Iowa, speaking at an event with Advancing American Freedom last week. Although he has not yet declared his intent to run, Pence is positioning himself as a principled conservative.

The former vice president split with Trump, who still today holds on to unfounded allegations of election fraud, after he decided not to stand in the way of the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

The bombastic former president continues to command strong support from the grassroots of the Republican Party, and dislodging his grip over the GOP could prove difficult in 2024, especially if the primary field becomes crowded.

Current polling shows Trump leading the field of prospective candidates, with roughly 50% of Republican voters saying they’d vote for him in 2024, according to Morning Consult. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) comes in second at 30% support, with Haley and Pence tied at 6%.

Trump, who announced his third presidential bid three months ago, has yet to make his way to the state, considered important to 2024 hopefuls given the first caucuses of the primary cycle are held there, at least for the GOP this year. Trump has a mixed record in Iowa. He narrowly lost the caucuses in 2016 to then-candidate Ted Cruz (R-TX), only to win the general election later that year. He won both the caucuses and general election there in 2020.

Although Trump is noticeably absent from the state, he nonetheless ramped up his operation there on Monday, with his campaign naming Marshall Moreau as the state campaign director. In 2022, Moreau managed the candidacy of Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who defeated Democratic incumbent Tom Miller.

Trump also has one of his national campaign team members, Alex Latcham, based in Iowa.

Only Trump, Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have announced their White House bids, but several others are expected to follow in the coming months.

Some voters the Washington Examiner spoke to expressed an openness to a larger primary pool.

“I think a large group of candidates would be kind of interesting,” Grant said. “It wouldn't … be good or bad because it would split the votes, probably among the two front-runners like DeSantis and Trump. So, it'd be kind of interesting — interesting to see if, like, a dark horse actually won because the votes were split.”

Why 2024 could be most expensive election ever

Sarah Westwood

January 03, 07:00 AM January 03, 07:01 AM

As politicians prepare for the 2024 election season to start next year, campaign vendors and consultants are likely bracing for what could be their most lucrative cycle ever.

That’s because elections have become longer and more expensive affairs over the past several decades.

YEAR IN REVIEW: WHAT REPUBLICANS SHOULD LEARN FROM 2022

The cost of the 2022 midterm election was projected to exceed $16 billion, making it the most expensive midterm cycle in history, according to OpenSecrets.

Two years earlier, the 2020 election took the title of most expensive presidential cycle when political spending topped $14 billion.

And with an unusual number of competitive Senate seats up for election in 2024, along with a House majority so thin that just a handful of races could decide control of the lower chamber, the next election cycle is likely to attract even more money than ever before.

“Aggressive fundraising in early 2021 and competitive Republican primaries contributed to the record-smashing totals we saw earlier this year, but as 2022 wears on we are seeing candidates report more pedestrian hauls,” Sarah Bryner, director of research and strategy for OpenSecrets, said in an analysis of the 2022 spending levels.

Bryner noted that factors like inflation and “donor fatigue” could have caused political donations to dwindle in the back half of the midterm election.

Fierce primaries can indeed drive up the cost of elections earlier in the cycle.

In 2016, the crowded and heavily contested GOP primary helped drive up the overall cost of spending that cycle well above 2012 levels, according to the Federal Election Commission, thanks in part to the sheer volume of candidates involved.

Competitive races in expensive media markets can also ratchet up the cost of elections.

Campaigns themselves get to pay lower rates for broadcast TV ads around elections, but political action committees, which make up an ever-growing share of political spending, can end up paying much higher prices to boost candidates on the airwaves.

In the Nevada Senate race this year, for example, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D) campaign paid $21,000 to air an ad during a Las Vegas Raiders football game. A Republican super PAC working to unseat her paid $150,000 to air an ad of the same length during the same game, according to the New York Times.

With Republicans in particular relying more heavily on PACs to deploy ads, the cost of doing business during elections is likely to grow.

This year, a number of House races in New York became competitive and attracted piles of cash from donors and outside groups; Republicans flipped four seats in New York, helping them win control of the House.

The competitive House races in New York cost nearly $80 million between the two parties, according to an analysis from AdImpact. The cost of running ads in the expensive New York City media market, which touches 19 of the state’s congressional districts, helped drive up that figure.

The 2024 cycle is also likely to be longer than any in recent memory.

Former President Donald Trump has already announced his third bid for the White House and filed his papers with the FEC.

His entry into the race just days after the 2022 midterm elections could persuade other Republicans to jump in earlier than they otherwise would, extending the amount of time campaigns will be hitting up donors for cash.

And if President Joe Biden chooses not to seek a second term, that could trigger an even greater avalanche of money.

A primary on the Democratic side would undoubtedly become a costly affair as politicians jockey to take up Biden’s mantle; if Biden chose to run, the money from donors in his party would flow only to him and only for the general election.

The rise of super PACs, which unleashed unlimited donations into the election system in 2010, has pushed the cost of elections into the stratosphere.

In 2012, the first presidential cycle after the Supreme Court case that legalized PACs, both then-President Barack Obama and now-Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) raised more than $1 billion between their respective campaigns and PACs. It was the first time any candidate had topped the billion-dollar mark.

Now, that much money has become the standard for presidential campaigns. Hillary Clinton surpassed $1 billion in 2016 and Donald Trump came close.

In 2020, Biden and allied groups raised $1.69 billion, and Trump and allied groups raised an eye-popping $1.96 billion.

'DeSantis Democrats': Why blue voters are switching to red in Florida

Jack Birle

December 22, 06:00 AM December 22, 06:00 AM

"DeSantis Democrats" may have been central to the overwhelming reelection last month of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

He won several Democratic-leaning areas, including Miami-Dade County.

Voters who have not considered voting Republican before flipped to DeSantis in 2022, according to a report from the Free Press.

Voters cited in the report gave various reasons for the way they voted. Many cited economic concerns, specifically inflation, as their main motivation. But a bevy of them also cited DeSantis's leadership abilities, his ideology, and how "he kept the schools open and taxes low."

GOP LAWMAKERS BLAME TRUMP'S ELECTABILITY FOR DWINDLING SUPPORT

"He’s the good parts of Trump without that cockiness,” Andres Arcila told the Free Press.

Voters surveyed in the report ranged from a bartender at a Miami strip club to an information technology specialist from Jacksonville. This hints at the diversity of voters who supported DeSantis in his landslide 59.4%-40% victory over Democrat Charlie Crist.

DeSantis's burgeoning appeal is prompting comparisons with "Reagan Democrats," a historical reference that cannot but be pleasing to the Florida governor, who already leads many Republican polls of presidential contenders. Many former Democrats switched to support President Ronald Reagan, delivering a thumping Republican victory in 1980 and a 49-state landslide in 1984.

Voters were captivated by Reagan's policies and leadership at a time of high inflation and low public morale, conditions that are partially echoed today. If DeSantis can translate his success in Florida to the rest of the country, he could find his way in the White House.

DeSantis is seen as one of the top candidates in the GOP field for the 2024 presidential election, leading recent polls ahead of other top candidates, including former President Donald Trump.