Donald Trump held a news conference from his Mar-a-Lago estate in South Florida on Thursday, following Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz returning to the campaign trail.
As Meridith McGraw reports, this is part of Trump’s efforts to regain public attention after Harris secured the Democratic nomination.
McGraw, the author of “Trump in Exile,” provides insight into the period during which former President Trump was less visible after leaving office and being less active on social media.
The book delves into Trump’s post-presidency era and its impact on his current position as the GOP frontrunner, as his campaign strategizes to garner enough support for a second term in the White House.
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“The Trump campaign has expressed strong confidence in their position in this race,” McGraw shared with Scripps News. “They have been leading in many polls in battleground states against President Joe Biden. However, with the entry of Harris into the race, along with [Tim] Walz’s announcement, even the Trump campaign acknowledges the opportunity presented by the Democratic ticket for undecided voters.”
McGraw’s analysis draws from her experience as a national correspondent at Politico, a news outlet specializing in beltway politics, national, and local races.
She notes that Trump spends considerable time at home on the phone, connecting with political allies, fundraising from donors, and unwinding through golfing, as per her sources.
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“He frequently engages in phone conversations seeking input and perspectives on various matters,” McGraw explained. “During my research for this book, I discovered that Trump outlined key strategies for a comeback: seeking revenge, settling scores, and playing golf. These remain integral to his campaign efforts.”
Scripps News reports that Trump has conducted 7 rallies this year, a stark contrast to the 37 rallies he held before his last election in summer 2016.
McGraw raises questions about how the attempted assassination targeting Trump has influenced his current campaign approach.