Radio Host Larry Elder Announces 2024 US Presidential Bid

Facts

• Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Tucker Carlson's show Thursday, citing goals to secure the border, push back against Democrats labeling the country "systemically racist," and address a "lack of fathers in the home."¹
• Elder, who received the most votes of any challenger in a failed vote to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2021, has traveled to battleground states like New Hampshire and Iowa to gauge interest in his candidacy and has also reportedly met with donors.²
• Though a supporter of Trump, Elder has said that Joe Biden won the 2020 election "fairly and squarely." He did, however, raise concerns of "shenanigans" in California before the recall results were announced but eventually acknowledged his defeat.¹
• The 70-year-old joins a Republican primary field that currently consists of former Pres. Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.³
• Elder grew up in South Central Los Angeles and is a lawyer who attended Ivy League college and law school. He has garnered a conservative following through his radio shows and appearances on right-wing media, while his criticism of Black Lives Matter has put him at odds with many other Black people.⁴
• Coming from a military family, Elder also said he's running to serve his country, adding that "Democrats want to give you something for nothing. You try to get something for nothing, you end up getting nothing for something."⁵

Sources: ¹CNN, ²Breitbart, ³NBC, ⁴Daily Mail, and ⁵Daily Caller.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by Newsweek. Putting aside how terrible Larry Elder would be for the country, particularly for Black Americans, he has no chance of winning the Oval Office in 2024. As far to the right as he is, the GOP wants even more fringe candidates like DeSantis or Trump. His campaign will be as laughable as it is implausible.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Townhall. While Larry Elder undeniably has an uphill battle against other candidates, particularly Trump, he promotes crucial ideas, such as prioritizing freedom over tyranny, racial harmony over division, and national security over pandering to China — changes the US desperately needs and goals that would make him a strong contender.

Predictions