When Donald Trump announced he was running for president in 2015, Democrats — and some Republicans — vowed to do all they could to stop his ascendancy to the nation’s highest elected office. After winning the 2016 GOP primary and the White House, Trump had to endure the false allegations of Russian collusion and two impeachments.
In the wake of the 2022 midterm elections, some say it may be time for the party to seek new leadership and move away from the former commander-in-chief. In Pennsylvania, his two endorsed candidates bombed in an election year highly favorable to Republicans. Some prominent newspapers and politicians across the country jumped on the bandwagon. Yet, Fox Business Host and former Trump adviser Larry Kudlow and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake say they support him and won’t stop him from running.
Lake Backs Trump Amid Calls for GOP to Move On
On Thursday, November 10, Lake stood firmly behind the former president as he prepared to announce his intentions for 2024 soon. In an interview with Kudlow on Fox Business, she emphasized she would fully support him if he decided to run for president.
Kudlow stated the attacks that appear to be picking up steam were “an odd story.” The three-year advisor to Trump in the White House said no one wants to talk about the administration’s achievements, including the economy, energy, and foreign policy. Kudlow added he and the potential 2024 presidential candidate knew the outcome in Pennsylvania wasn’t good. Still, he said after all the good the former president did for the country, the pounding he was taking didn’t make sense to him.
Lake said the attacks are coming because Trump was preparing to announce he’s running for the Oval Office, and some don’t want him to do it. The Arizona gubernatorial candidate added how she didn’t think the criticism would stop him.
Then, she argued his America First policies accomplished “amazing things.” Lake noted that regardless of race or where one lived, everyone did better when he was in office. She stated he ended and prevented wars, brought Middle East peace, and said 401(k)s were in good shape. She noted he turned America around once and would be a good candidate to do it again.
Pennsylvania Hurt Trump’s Standing
It is nearly impossible for a Republican to capture the White House without Pennsylvania. In the 2022 midterm election, Trump endorsed gubernatorial candidate State Senator Doug Mastriona (R-PA) and Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz (R-PA). Both lost badly, hurting Republicans down the ballot and potentially flipping the statehouse blue.
Many in the Keystone State don’t want him not to run in 2024 as they believe he cost the GOP the election and say they are done with him, and they aren’t alone. The New York Post mocked him as “Trumpty Dumpty” and called him the “most profound vote repellent” in American politics. On Thursday, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R-VA) joined a growing list of party leaders who said they wouldn’t support Trump if he runs for president. She said true leaders recognize when they’ve become a liability.
