Donald Trump and his allies are ramping up high-dollar fundraising efforts with less than two months to go until the Iowa caucus begins the 2024 Republican primary, as several major donors show signs of returning to the former president – including those who once called on him to exit the race.
Some observers say the changing view of big financial backers shows a recognition that because Republican voters are sticking with Trump amid his continued controversy and legal troubles, he remains a very real contender for the White House.
Trump is battling a slew of unprecedented criminal charges – all of which he denies – but remains the front-runner in polling.
At the same time, anti-Trump Republican donors have spent millions while scrambling to coalesce behind an alternative candidate to take on the former president and anti-Trump voters remain divided between a handful of challengers.
It’s less likely to be because they’ve “come around” and like him, and more because if they can’t keep make him the Republican candidate on the ballot, there’s zero chance of them beating Biden.
If Trump isn’t the Republican candidate, then enough of the hardcore MAGAts will either write him in or just not bother voting to pretty much hand Democrats an easy win. On top of that, Trump is exactly the sort of person who, if not made the Republican candidate, very well might run anyway as a third party, splitting the Republican votes even more dramatically and once again ensuring Biden wins.
These Republican donors, even if they “soured” on him after 2020 and Jan 6, would rather have an unstable, idiotic, treasonous narcissist as their president, rather than Biden.
Edit: Clarity
Trump’s running regardless, as becoming president again is his best chance at escaping prison.
Yeah I think it’s more because he’s a narcissist than to escape prison. If he hadn’t tried a coup people would’ve let it go. Presidents can get away with everything but fucking with democracy blatantly.