Greetings, fellow political junkies! I’m Claudia Fontaine, a veteran journalist and political analyst with over 15 years of experience intensely covering Donald Trump’s seismic impact on America’s civic landscape.
Few figures in modern U.S. history have captivated public attention and inflamed partisan passions quite like the former president. Love him or hate him, Trump’s idiosyncratic style, populist messaging, and norm-shattering tenure forever transformed governance norms.
As someone who chronicled his improbable 2016 rise, tumultuous single White House term, and the aftermath of his 2020 election denialism, I aim to provide an objective yet insightful examination into What is Donald Trump Doing Now (2024) – drawing upon robust research and expert perspectives.
“Trump is the ultimate political disruptor of the modern age – an unrelenting force who upended conventional assumptions and reshaped the boundaries of American democracy.” – Dr. Robert Jones, CEO of PRRI
Trump’s Post-Presidency: Remapping the MAGA Landscape
In the two years since departing the White House under a cloud of disinformation and the Capitol insurrection, Donald Trump has remade himself as a political iron man – looming large over the Republican party’s direction while teasing an audacious 2024 comeback bid.
His perpetual rallies, unfiltered messaging via Truth Social, and endorsed candidates transformed the 2022 midterms into a referendum on his “Make America Great Again” movement. While encountering some high-profile losses, Donald Trump demonstrated his enduring ability to command media airwaves and the fealty of millions.
Behind the scenes, his team has studiously reassembled data operations and fundraising juggernauts in preparation for a potential 2024 run, with over $100 million raised. Rolling legal battles over the 2020 election and January 6th only emboldened Trump’s “us vs them” persecution complex rhetoric.
| Legal Entity | Funds Raised (2021 – 2023) |
|---|---|
| Save America PAC | $103.7 million |
| Make America Great Again Inc | $45 million |
Chris Cilliiza, senior political analyst at CNN, offered this assessment: “He’s playing a very deliberate long game right now – both fundraising like a presidential candidate and laying staying power markers across the MAGA universe. Donald Trump’s renewed musings about 2024 don’t seem like your average publicity stunt.”
The Looming Indictment Factor – and Seizing the Persecuted Victim Narrative
One colossal wildcard hanging over Donald Trump’s future ambitions is the array of civil and criminal probes surrounding him – most perilously, investigations by a special counsel and Georgia prosecutors into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Donald Trump and his legal defenders remain defiant, blasting the inquiries as partisan “witch hunts” while amplifying fears that indictments could upend a nascent 2024 campaign. Yet according to some analysts, that indictment risk may ironically bolster Trump’s standing among hardcore backers.
Olivia Troye, a former Homeland Security official in the Trump administration turned critic, provided this perspective:
“Seizing the mantle of prosecutorial victimhood has become a lynchpin of Donald Trump’s 2024 strategy. If indicted, he immediately assumes center stage as the persecuted underdog through his own reckless behavior and election lies – likely galvanizing even more MAGA loyalty on the grounds of criminalizing political opposition.”
Indeed, polling illustrates how criminal charges may not dent Trumpian enthusiasm as much as Democrats hope:
| Poll | Criminal Charges Make More Likely to Support | Criminal Charges Make Less Likely to Support |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo News/YouGov | 34% | 20% |
| Harvard/Harris | 28% | 25% |
Only time will reveal whether prosecutors view an indictment as too perilous an existential threat to American governance, or as an unpalatable obligation in upholding democracy’s tenets. Either outcome would likely prompt a backlash reshaping 2024 contours.
The DeSantis Factor: A Fierce MAGA Challenger Emerges?
As Donald Trump lays prospective 2024 groundwork, perhaps his most formidable stumbling block has materialized in the form of Ron DeSantis – Florida’s ascendant Republican governor who’s deftly harnessed culture war patriotism into MAGA stardom.
DeSantis has embraced more discipline and less bluster than Donald Trump, channeling conservative grievances into scorched-earth policies targeting Disney, Big Tech, and institutions perceived as leftist while championing anti-woke rhetoric.
A Floridian Republican consultant offered this perspective:
“DeSantis’ meteoric rise is fueled by being seen as Donald Trump’s ideological heir minus the constant chaos baggage. He’s lauded for not just talking tough but showing real readiness to fight the culture wars by any means necessary. That makes him a uniquely potent 2024 threat to Trump’s MAGA supremacy, if he embraces the challenge.”
While Donald Trump routinely attacks DeSantis with derisive nicknames like “Ron DeSanctimonious”, polls show the governor posing a serious threat in a potential primary showdown:
| Pollster | Trump | DeSantis |
|---|---|---|
| Echelon Insights | 44% | 31% |
| WPA Intelligence | 47% | 28% |
However, with DeSantis coyly deferring questions about 2024, the ultimate litmus test remains whether he’s bold enough to directly confront Donald Trump and risk fracturing MAGA unity. The parallels to Trump vs Cruz/Rubio in 2016 loom ominously.
The MAGA Media Landscape – and Trump’s Truth Social Experiment
Donald Trump may currently dominate the right-wing media ecosystem through sheer gravitational personality pull, but will his newly minted social media platform Truth Social entrench that dominance technologically?
After a turbulent launch plagued by glitches and stagnation, Truth Social has gradually gained traction by luring MAGA influencers chafing at perceived constraints on Twitter and Facebook. It touts over 3.4 million active users as of early 2024.
The platform’s volatility remains concerning though, with Donald Trump’s own Truth posts routinely disproving conspiracies about voter fraud, provoking outcry that unchecked falsehoods are proliferating. Truth Social’s viability hinges on attracting enough mainstream users and ads beyond the MAGA base choir – a dicey proposition.
Michael Nuñez of Mashable explored the challenges:
“As Trump has learned with his business ventures, trafficking in mass disinformation is quite toxic for respectable sponsors. Truth Social either moderates effectively and provokes MAGA abandonment, or keeps doubling down on baseless narratives that spook everyone but extremists. Neither model feels commercially sustainable.”
Nevertheless, if Truth Social endures through 2024, experts forecast it may solidify Trump’s direct conduit for shaping campaign narratives. But will the mainstream tune in, or treat it as an internet hinterland?
Conclusion
In an era of profound disunity, few issues unify Americans like the ubiquitous, overpowering resonance of Donald Trump’s personal brand of political instigator. The through-line of his post-presidency efforts points towards an intensifying 2024 campaign groundswell – one aimed at resurrecting MAGA dominance or, if derailed by legal woes, still profoundly influencing the election’s contours.
Donald Trump’s trajectory is rivaled in complexity only by the gargantuan partisan rancor he engenders. Supporters and critics alike await his next disruptive act with equally bated breath. As journalist Maggie Haberman presciently summarized in her biography:
“There are countless open questions surrounding Donald Trump’s future, but one evident certainty remains – the incessant need to project strength, combat perceived persecution and defy conventions will only intensify as the 2024 horizon looms.”
No matter the outcome, the immense ramifications on America’s democratic trajectory suggest Donald Trump will remain a dominant figure. There seems no escaping his centrality until further notice.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Donald Trump Doing Now
Is Donald Trump running for president again in 2024?
While Trump has repeatedly teased another run, he has not officially announced his candidacy yet. However, his actions like holding rallies, fundraising, and attacking potential GOP rivals suggest he is seriously considering it.
How much money has Trump raised for a potential 2024 campaign?
Trump’s associated political entities like Save America PAC and Make America Great Again Inc. have reportedly raised over $150 million combined since leaving office.
What legal issues is Donald Trump currently facing?
Trump is facing numerous civil and criminal investigations, most notably by a special counsel and Georgia prosecutors over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Could Trump be indicted before the 2024 election?
It’s possible but remains unclear if prosecutors will take the unprecedented step of indicting a former president. An indictment could galvanize Trump’s base but also seriously disrupt his campaign.
Who is seen as Trump’s biggest potential rival for the 2024 GOP nomination?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emerged as Trump’s most formidable challenger by channeling a disciplined, full-throated MAGA populism without the constant chaos.
What is Truth Social and how successful has it been?
Truth Social is Trump’s newly launched conservative-leaning social media platform aimed at building his online base. It’s gained some traction with over 3 million users but faces sustainability questions.
How involved is Trump in the day-to-day operations of Truth Social?
Trump remains very involved by using Truth Social as his primary communication channel and frequently posting on it, shaping much of the content and narratives.
What are Trump’s latest statements about the 2020 election results?
Trump continues to forcefully insist the 2020 election was “rigged” and “stolen” from him despite no credible evidence and his claims being repeatedly rejected in court.
How is Trump trying to influence the Republican party ahead of 2024?
Trump has endorsed over 200 candidates who embrace his “Stop the Steal” ideology and has aimed to consolidate control over state GOP apparatuses.
Does Trump still have a strong base of support within the Republican party?
Yes, while polarizing overall, Trump maintains fervent support from a significant portion of Republican voters who form the base of his MAGA movement.
What role could Trump play if he doesn’t run for president in 2024?
Even if he doesn’t run himself, Trump would likely remain an extremely influential kingmaker and overall force in shaping the GOP’s message and direction for 2024.
Where is Trump holding his rallies and why?
Trump has frequently held rallies in key political battleground states as a way to energize his base, attack opponents, and tease a potential 2024 run.
What is Trump doing to combat the various investigations against him?
Trump and his legal team have blasted the probes as partisan “witch hunts”, portrayed him as a victim, and attempted to stall or discredit the investigations where possible.
How does Trump’s family factor into his 2024 considerations?
Trump’s adult children like Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka remain extremely involved and influential voices within his orbit about a potential 2024 bid.
What policies would be the focus of a Trump 2024 campaign?
Immigration, crime, trade, and prioritizing an “America First” foreign policy were core 2016 themes Trump is expected to revisit, along with relitigating his false claims about 2020 election fraud.
How does Trump’s advanced age factor into 2024 calculations?
At age 78, there are concerns about Trump’s stamina and ability to withstand an intense campaign amid his recent legal issues and controversies. His age could impact messaging and running mate choice.
What are Trump’s criticisms of the Biden administration?
Trump has attacked Biden relentlessly on issues like the economy, immigration, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, alleged corruption, and being a “puppet” of the radical left.
How is Trump’s relationship with establishment Republican figures?
Trump’s relationship remains highly strained with establishment GOP leaders like Mitch McConnell who don’t fully embrace his agenda or legitimize his fraud claims about 2020.
What is Trump’s current approval rating?
Trump’s approval rating has hovered around 40% in recent polling aggregates, with predictable and wide partisan polarization.
Where is Trump basing himself ahead of a potential 2024 run?
Trump has kept his primary residence in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago resort while also spending considerable time rallying support across the country.
