Trump Kicks Off 2024 Campaign With NH, SC Stops

Facts

Former US Pres. Donald Trump on Saturday made the first two appearances of his 2024 presidential campaign – speaking to hundreds of people in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
In New Hampshire, which was the first primary Trump won on the way to the presidency in 2016, the former president addressed party leaders and elected officials at the state’s annual GOP meeting.
In South Carolina, Trump was flanked by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and US Senator Lindsey Graham at the statehouse, where he told an audience of party leaders that he’s 'more angry now' and 'more committed now' than ever before.
Prior to Saturday, Trump had kept a low profile since announcing his run in November. On his social media platform Truth Social, he has released several videos outlining his policy positions, including protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Trump’s speeches hit many of the same notes as those from his prior campaigns, such as criticizing illegal immigration and China, though this time he also took aim at transgender issues and the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Trump, who is facing five ongoing criminal and civil investigations related to his conduct as a private citizen and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, also devoted a small portion of each speech Saturday to repeat his highly controversial claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. It’s dumbfounding that someone who inspired an insurrection just two years ago is running to return to office and actually garnering any support. However, the fact that Trump’s 2024 campaign has had a low-energy rollout could be a sign that his continued lies about the 2020 election – not to mention the damage those claims did to Republicans in the 2022 midterms – have cost him dearly, and he could be ripe for a challenge from other potential GOP nominees.
Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Trump is as popular and important to the GOP as ever. It would be silly to spend big money on large rallies this early in the race, so instead the former president has posted policy videos on social media and is now slowly beginning to hit the campaign trail. The GOP knows there’s no separating Trump from the policies the party loves, so it’ll get behind him 100% as the campaign rolls along.