Republican figures are divided following Trump’s announcement of his third presidential campaign. Some have maintained that the former President is the GOP’s leader while others have said that Trump should leave the spotlight and let others take charge.
Close Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) had endorsed the former President even before his official announcement was made. Following the Mar-a-Lago event and announcement though she retweeted her support for Trump running. As she had written Trump has her “full endorsement” and “support as our Republican nominee in 2024.” She also included a clip from the event in which Trump said he would put “America first.” if elected a second time.
GOP Reps. Troy Nehls (Texas) and Andy Biggs (Ariz.) have also announced that they would be endorsing the former President, while also sharing clips from his announcement.
Biggs has notably been one of the people who have said that Donald Trump is the GOP’s leader.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has not yet endorsed former President Trump but he did applaud his approach to the announcement. Notably, Trump was much calmer during this announcement and did not follow his usual line of attacking others, including members of the GOP. Graham noted that if Trump continues with this tone and messaging for his entire campaign then beating him both in the primaries and in the general election would be incredibly hard.
Others were not as supportive of retiring Govs. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas both said that Trump would fail as the GOP nominee. Hogan also noted that Trump’s running is essentially a gift to the Democrats, while Hutchinson noted that there would be better choices for the GOP nomination.
