People close to Donald Trump wondered if, as tensions rose in the hours leading up to the first general election debate of the cycle, the former president might declare his running partner on stage or soon after, in the event that the evening took a turn for the worst.
Among the many post-debate distractions floated by Trump supporters still spooked by the Republican’s unruly performance in the first debate in 2020 was the wild-card possibility. However, in the end, that card would remain in the deck.
Keeping the focus on President Joe Biden amidst a hectic sprint to next month’s Republican National Convention, when Trump will be sentenced for his felony convictions and must choose a running mate, has suddenly become more of a challenge for the former president and his team than dealing with the fallout from Trump’s performance at Thursday’s event. The post-debate talk has been consumed by the 81-year-old incumbent’s confidence-shattering issues, and the Democratic worrying about the presumed nominee’s ability to continue the fight might cast a shadow over Biden’s campaign for some time.
While celebrating his victory at a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, Trump mocked Vice President Biden’s weeklong debate preparation at Camp David and dubbed him “grossly incompetent” all in one go.
He was so preoccupied with studying that he had no idea what he was doing, Trump remarked.
In an effort to change the tide of a contest that has been unaffected by outside influences for months, Trump’s advisors are secretly planning how to make the most of Biden’s lackluster performance. Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita responded with a “Duh” when asked if Thursday night’s Biden excerpts would appear in future advertisements on Fox News.
While he restrained himself from criticizing Biden’s looks and maintained that his opponent’s age had no bearing on the debate’s outcome, Trump provided a more in-depth look at their minds during Friday’s campaign visit. As the election season approaches in November, Trump’s remarks in Virginia were in line with the strategy that his allies have pushed him to follow.
“He couldn’t defend his horrible record no matter how much rest or rigging he did,” Trump remarked. “It can’t be justified.”
Trump is embarking on a crucial three-week stretch that might be a game-changer for the race, all the while trying to keep the focus on Biden’s debate inadequacies.
If the ex-president is immune from prosecution for any crimes he may have committed while in office, the US Supreme Court is likely to rule on Monday. The outcome of special counsel Jack Smith’s case against Trump on accusations of election subversion may depend on the ruling.
A separate decision Friday from the high court found that federal prosecutors overstepped by charging hundreds of January 6, 2021, rioters with obstruction—an accusation Smith has also leveled at the former president—and Trump’s lawyers applauded the legal and political consequences. Despite the decision’s lack of impact on Trump’s case, his campaign will use it to promote his unfounded accusations that Biden’s DOJ is out to punish his Republican predecessor and his followers.
The sentencing hearing for the 34 felonies that a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of last month is set for July 11. The former president might face a variety of penalties, including fines, probation, community service, and perhaps jail time, depending on the judge’s judgment in the case.
Only four days from now, the Republican convention in Milwaukee will begin. The choice of Trump’s running mate, which was made less pressing but no less significant by Thursday’s debate, will inevitably come before he accepts his party’s nomination on July 18.
Trump can increase his campaign funds and gain media attention outside of the debate by taking advantage of these chances.
Even before the debate concluded, Trump’s campaign sent a text message to supporters claiming he had “obliterated” Biden and offering a link to buy new clothing. His staff has been planning how to capitalize on the Democrats’ shock at Biden’s appearance in the hours following Trump’s exit from the platform.
Trump’s campaign is bracing for another influx of donations connected to his legal difficulties following next month’s sentencing. He raised over $50 million online in the 24 hours after his conviction, cutting into Biden’s financial edge. Also anticipated to pull in more money is the GOP convention, which has long been a political and financial yardstick for presidential campaigns.
Now we just need to know when he plans to reveal his vice presidential nominee.
The top aides to Trump have shot down rumors that an announcement could be made during debate week.
But those same individuals have also said that Trump might choose before the convention; some have even told AWN that they think it’s more probable than not that Trump choose before his self-imposed deadline of revealing his choice in Milwaukee.
The choice would be made before the convention, according to one Trump supporter. “Choosing a vice president is a big deal in and of itself, and they want to capitalize on that fact to raise money for this announcement.”
On the other hand, Democrats seem eager to change the subject from the debate to the impending Republican veepstakes.
The party has spent weeks investigating each candidate’s history, making their abortion stances public and editing together videos of their condemnation of Trump.
Following Thursday’s event, the DNC slammed North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a front-runner for the position, for endorsing Trump’s repeated denials of responsibility for the November election outcomes. While speaking with NBC from the debate spin room, Burgum reiterated Trump’s claims of 2020 electoral conspiracies.
“Like all of Trump’s vice presidential candidates, Burgum is prepared to support Trump’s harmful assaults on our democracy and compromise our fundamental American principles if it means he can run on Trump’s losing ticket in November,” stated Alex Floyd, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.