Who saw this coming?
Former President Donald Trump openly derided his Republican Party rivals vying for the nomination in the 2024 election during a rally held in Michigan. He asserted that he wouldn’t consider appointing any of them in a hypothetical 2024 administration or even as his 2024 Vice President. This declaration came on the heels of a day spent campaigning amidst striking autoworkers in the state.
According to Fox, at the rally, Trump characterized his competitors as individuals seeking employment within the government, emphasizing their eagerness to secure various positions, including the secretary of various departments or even the vice presidency. He expressed skepticism about their qualifications, particularly in the role of vice president.
The event featured seven Republican candidates at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. These contenders included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, biotech entrepreneur and political commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
Recent polling data from Fox News indicated that Trump enjoyed the support of 60% of Republican primary voters, a notable increase from the 53% he garnered in the previous survey conducted in August. Among the other candidates, DeSantis garnered 13% support, while Ramaswamy received 11%. Haley’s support stood at 5%, while Pence and Scott each polled at 3%. Christie registered at 2%, with the remaining GOP candidates receiving less than 1% support.
In a recent Washington Post/ABC poll conducted over the weekend, Trump emerged as the leader in a head-to-head general election matchup against President Biden, holding a 10-point advantage among voters. Concurrently, the poll revealed that Biden’s approval rating was at 37%, with 56% of respondents expressing active disapproval of his presidency.