CBS News learned that former President Donald Trump told his aides and allies privately in recent days that he seriously considered announcing a run for the presidency in 2024 as soon as this summer.
The New York Times first reported Trump's latest explorations of a political comeback, and the possibility of an announcement about a second presidential campaign in summer.
Trump is moving closer to running for the presidency in 2024, but his thoughts remain fluid. Three people close to Trump spoke anonymously to confirm that no decision has been made about whether or not to run for the presidency and if so when. On Sunday, Trump spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump's Republican allies and ex-White House and campaign aides told CBS News that they believe Trump could be allowed to enter the White House early. For his seasonal move from Florida to New Jersey, the former president moved to Bedminster, New Jersey last month.
According to several people who spoke to Trump recently, CBS News has learned that Trump and his top advisors are planning various ways for Trump's 2024 campaign to be announced this summer or following the midterm elections. Traditional wisdom has it that major party presidential candidates wait until after the fall elections to launch a presidential campaign. A Trump campaign launch before the November elections could disrupt both parties' campaigns.
Many Republicans planned to concentrate this year on economic issues, especially the high inflation which is putting financial pressure on families across the country. Trump's early entry into the presidential race could lead some candidates to instead focus on false claims of election corruption during 2020, which have been a constant beat for Joe Biden since his defeat in 2020. Some Republican operatives worry that a pre-midterm Trump entry could help Democrats turn the 2022 cycle in a referendum against Trump.
Some Trump associates are skeptical that Trump will officially announce his candidacy for president in the next few months. A former senior campaign official stated that he believed it was possible if Trump climbed down the Trump Tower escalator in New York, as a reminder of the launch of his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump's anger at the Jan. 6 House committee hearings, which were televised on NBC, is what others close to him believe fuels his desire to run again and possibly announce soon. Trump is believed to feel that he is not being well defended by Republicans and that he is the best person to defend himself.
Trump was asked by Newsmax how much of Jan. 6's committee proceedings were to "prevent you from running again for office in 2024?"
Trump replied, "I believe a lot of that is." "I am leading in all polls against Republicans and Democrats. I am leading in Republican polls in numbers never seen before. I'm leading against Biden and any other candidate they may run.
Trump stated that he would make an announcement about 2024 at the "right time".
Trump flirted with the idea of another White House run at rallies during this midterm cycle.
"This year, we are going to take over the House and the Senate. We're going back to America." Trump stated that in 2024, the most important thing, is that we will take back our magnificent White House." Trump made this statement at a rally in Illinois for GOP candidates Rep. Mary Miller, and former state senator Darren Bailey who are running for governor. Both candidates won their primary races Tuesday.
