Controversial former president Donald Trump has not changed based on his campaign speech, but his circumstances have, writes ‘s US reporter Juri von Bonsdorff.
Donald Trump will never change. He is incapable of reformation. This has been said for some time about the 45 presidents of the United States.
When Trump yesterday began his campaign to return to the White House, he proved this old assertion to be true.
Seven and a half years ago, Trump shocked the world when, in his campaign opening, he called immigrants coming across the southern border murderers and rapists.
When he made almost identical accusations in a speech in South Carolina on Saturday, it hardly even led to a shrug.
This is about how the US political environment changed in the Trump era. On the other hand, the accusation is a sign of how little Trump’s worldview has developed.
Trump’s looming speech contained familiar and new elements
In his speech, Trump emphasized his own achievements as usual – how the economy flourished during his presidency, how energy self-sufficiency was at its peak and China was forced to its knees.
President Joe Biden Trump snapped right behind the shoulder. Inflation, the invasion of immigrants, the rise in crime, the Afghanistan fiasco, and of course Biden’s son, Hunter’s, laptop. All the old ingredients were piled up.
The new emphasis was on the rights of trans people in schools and in the defense forces.
– We have to stop left-wing radical racists and perverts. We need to protect our children from their Marxists, Trump said.
He articulated his message in a way that sinks in well with his core supporters, but not necessarily with middle-of-the-road Republicans or unaffiliated voters.
Trump also stated that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he had hosted the White House. It is said that the peace agreement would be ready in 24 hours if he went to negotiate it.
So the controversial former president has not changed, but his circumstances have.
Trump’s position in the party may be shaken
Donald Trump is still the leader of the Republican Party and the early favorite. But we no longer know how strong his popularity really rests.
There are almost two years to the presidential elections and a year to the primaries. A lot can happen.
The uncertainty is increased by the fact that a situation where a defeated president tries to make a comeback is new in modern American history.
Increasingly, Republican Party leaders would like the Trump era to be over. Trump has been labeled a loser. But do they dare to wrestle from power a man who enjoys the popularity of a cult leader among a certain electorate?
So far, Republican leaders have not dared to do so.
Trump also faces several criminal charges. They do not legally prevent him from applying for the party’s nomination, but can the party practically choose a person who is threatened with prison as its leader?
This time there is also a pack of challengers lurking in the background, especially the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis might be able to destabilize Trump’s throne.
DeSantis’ politics are pure Trump. But he knows how to behave and doesn’t sabotage his own work with stupid narcissism. He has also shown that he can achieve electoral success in traditionally Democratic areas in Florida.
No rival candidate has yet officially announced that they will challenge Trump. Neither do they know how strong or how wounded the enemy is before them. However, decisions must be made during the spring.
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