‘In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,’ Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday night.
Trump, wearing a red tie, walked into a packed room at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida, with ‘God Bless the USA’ playing in the background. The crowd chanted ‘USA!’ as he went up to a podium with signage reading, ‘Trump: Make America Great Again! 2024.’
The ex-president started by listing off his accomplishments in his one term in office. He called his response to the coronavirus pandemic ‘decisive’ and said that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea ‘were in check’.
Unlike other presidents, I kept my promises,’ said Trump as the audience chanted his name.
Trump named his successor, President Joe Biden, several times, saying the nation has experienced ‘pain, hardship, anxiety and despair’ under his leadership. He said inflation is the highest in 50 years and that Americans face the highest gas prices.
‘Two years ago we were a great nation and soon we will be a great nation again,’ Trump said.
‘I will fight like no one has ever fought before.’
Trump said he ‘will ensure Biden does not receive four more years’.
He filed his paperwork to establish his candidacy to run for president with the Federal Election Committee just before making his announcement speech.
Trump launched his campaign despite some of his aides and allies urging him to hold off at least until after the midterm election results were determined. Trump had sought to springboard off an expected ‘red wave’ of Republican victories, but several of his hand-picked candidates lost in high-profile races.
It is Trump’s third presidential campaign, after winning in 2016 and losing to Biden in 2020.
Trump’s plan to announce on Tuesday night was confirmed by a longtime adviser just hours prior.
‘Hopefully TODAY will turn out to be one of the most important days in the history of our Country!’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform early Tuesday.
