At the time, it appeared as though Trump would be capitalising on Republican midterm electoral success the following day – including victories by candidates the former president helped boost over more established options. It didn’t turn out that way. Instead of striking while the political iron was hot, Trump’s impending presidential announcement now is more akin to damage control – a way to stave off continued second-guessing from those in his own party about his political instincts and the direction he has taken the party since he wrested control of it back in 2016. The media currently are rife with reports of conservative donors looking for 2024 options not named Trump. His long-time critics within the party have launched attacks with newfound energy. Even close allies, like Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, are floating excuses for why they may not be at Mar-a-Lago for his big night. That’s assuming Trump makes a presidential announcement at all. He has been known to change course on a moment’s notice, and he could use the occasion to simply tease a White House campaign. For the moment, however, Trump is back in the national spotlight – even if it’s not in the way he may have envisioned it at first.
