Trump is reportedly telling people 'I'm running' and wanted to announce his 2024 campaign in August


As a highly-speculated 2024 presidential campaign continues to gain steam, former President Donald Trump is reportedly "constantly" telling people "I'm running," and was actually talked out of announcing his candidacy in August, The Washington Post reports.
At first emboldened by the upheaval in Afghanistan, Trump was cautioned against right away sharing his 2024 plans so as to not force "a reshuffling of his newly formed fundraising apparatus" or "complicate his ability to appear on broadcast television without triggering equal time rules," writes the Post, according to people familiar with the discussions. Advisers were also concerned Democrats could also use Trump's candidacy to their advantage during the midterms, and argued the ex-president "could be more effective electing like-minded Republicans next year if he was not an official candidate himself."
"The biggest point we drove home was that he doesn't want to own the midterms if we don't win back the House or Senate," said one individual.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump was convinced to hold off (at least for the time being), and is now relying on a "winks and nods" strategy in which he is acting "like a candidate for public office ... without actually declaring so himself," notes the Post. The former president has resumed cross-country rallies, and continues to raise money using the same tactics as his last campaign. And even as other Republicans test the 2024 waters, Trump has "made clear" he's watching out for potential opponents, per the Post.
"He tacitly keeps the 2024 crowd on notice that nobody can move a major muscle until he decides what he's doing," said former adviser Kellyanne Conway. "As for 2024, there has been a shift from intention to urgency as he watches in horror the many failings of this administration." Read more at The Washington Post.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
June 22 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include a SpaceX flight, Bibi pulling Donald Trump toward war, and an ICE agent looking like a bank robber
-
5 bunker-busting cartoons about the Israel-Iran war
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on Iran waiting for Pete Hegseth to leak war plans and Donald Trump's wish for a Nobel prize
-
Malaysia's delicious food and glorious beaches
The Week Recommends From 'colourful' George Town to the 'jungled interior' of Langkawi, Malaysia is incredibly diverse
-
Is the US sliding into autocracy?
Talking Point Donald Trump's use of federal troops on home ground, dismissal of dissent and 'braggadocious' military posturing are all symptoms of a shifting political culture
-
Court allows National Guard in LA as Dodgers repel feds
Speed Read The team said they 'denied entry' to ICE agents seeking to enter their stadium
-
'Is it even possible to enjoy a trip without contributing to the problem?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump ramps up Iran threats, demands 'surrender'
Speed Read Trump met with his top aides in the Situation Room on Tuesday
-
Travel ban: It's back and it's bigger
Feature Trump revives a controversial travel ban, targeting mostly poor, nonwhite countries
-
'Big Oil does not accept responsibility'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
ABA sues Trump over 'law firm intimidation policy'
Speed Read Trump has 'used the vast powers of the executive branch to coerce lawyers,' the lawsuit said
-
Judge orders Trump's NIH grant cuts reversed
Speed Read Trump had attempted to slash more than $1 billion in research grants