Trump’s Aggressive Campaigning in Key States
Former President Donald Trump is set to address Republican voters in Nevada this Sunday, aiming to fortify his standing as the leading contender for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination. This speech in Reno follows his campaign visits to Iowa and New Hampshire, with another trip to Iowa scheduled for Tuesday. These campaign activities highlight Trump’s team’s vigorous efforts to sustain his substantial lead in the polls, just over a month before the Iowa caucuses kick off the Republican nomination process.
Trump’s Dominance in the GOP Primary Field
According to the most recent CNN Poll of Polls, Trump is leading the GOP primary field by approximately 40 percentage points nationally. The new average shows Trump with 61% support, followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 17% and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley with 11%.
Controversial Remarks and Foreign Policy Stances
On the eve of his Nevada visit, Trump reiterated his controversial stance on immigration, which has been criticized for its association with White supremacist rhetoric. He also quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin to criticize President Joe Biden, and expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both known for their authoritarian leadership styles.
Trump’s Strategy to Maintain Momentum
Trump’s advisers have expressed concerns that his supporters might become complacent due to his significant lead in the polls. To counter this, Trump has been urging his supporters to vote. He is also working to counter any momentum gained by his main rivals for the GOP nomination. Haley, who is returning to Iowa for campaigning on Sunday, recently secured a crucial endorsement from Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, the state that holds the first Republican primary.
DeSantis’s Aggressive Campaigning and Internal Turmoil
DeSantis, who is relying on a strong performance in Iowa to boost his campaign, has recently stepped up his attacks on Trump. However, his campaign is facing internal issues, with the super PAC supporting him, Never Back Down, losing a fourth senior official this month.
Upcoming Nevada Caucuses and Legal Challenges
Trump and DeSantis are among several Republican candidates who will compete in Nevada’s party-run caucuses on February 8. Meanwhile, Trump’s visit to Reno comes just days after a Nevada grand jury indicted six individuals who posed as fake electors in an attempt to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory. Trump himself faces multiple legal challenges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and continues to spread unfounded conspiracy theories about voter fraud.
Trump’s Legal Battles and Potential Delays
A federal judge overseeing Trump’s 2020 election interference case recently paused all procedural deadlines, potentially delaying the start of his trial scheduled for March. This development is a boon for Trump and his legal team, who have been seeking to postpone proceedings until after the November election. Trump is currently a defendant in several cases, facing 91 criminal charges across four separate cases, to all of which he has pleaded not guilty.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Kit Maher, Jeff Zeleny, Aaron Pellish, and Steve Contorno.