According to Washington-based news agency Reuters, Donald Trump’s latest legal challenge in his bid for a second term as US President seems to be providing his campaign with even more momentum in his pursuit of the Republican nomination in the 2024 elections. This is following a ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that barred the former president from its state ballot citing his involvement in the “insurrection” on January 6, 2021. This unprecedented decision is anticipated to be challenged by the conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Political analysts and donors from both parties predict that the ruling will further anger Trump’s political base and fuel his claims of being targeted by partisan legal proceedings. Additionally, it is expected to boost his campaign finances, similar to earlier this year when he faced a barrage of felony charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and other alleged crimes which did not include insurrection.
John Morgan, a prominent fundraiser for President Joe Biden, celebrated Trump’s reaction to the ruling and predicted a significant surge in Republican fundraising. Trump has confirmed his intention to appeal the Colorado ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which includes three justices he appointed.
His campaign has urged supporters to donate in order to combat what they perceive as a “tyrannical” decision. Trump, currently 77 years old, maintains a slight lead over Biden in national polls, ahead of the general election slated for November 5, 2024. The Colorado ruling could attract independent voters who believe that Trump was involved in the insurrection, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in early December 2023.
While 57% of independent voters find it believable that Trump incited the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, about 30% find it unbelievable. On the other hand, about 70% of Republican respondents consider it “not believable” while 23% believe it to be true.
When asked about Trump’s involvement in the insurrection, President Biden confirmed, “it is self-evident”. Further, he expressed that Trump’s support for the insurrection is undeniable and that he appears to be doubling down on it. Biden also emphasized that the decision about whether the 14th Amendment applies will be left to the court to decide.
Trump continues to maintain a strong position as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination despite facing ban in Colorado. The ruling is not expected to impact his dominance in the party. The decision comes just ahead of the first Republican nominating contest in Iowa in mid-January 2024, which is likely to return the focus to Trump at a time when other potential contenders such as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley were gaining momentum.
As per Republican strategist Ford O’Connell, the ruling is predicted to reinforce Trump’s claim of being targeted by a politically-driven legal process. Moreover, it is expected to sway undecided Republican voters in his favor. On the other hand, the ruling has prompted other Republican hopefuls to voice their support for Trump rather than seeking to capitalize on the Colorado decision.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the court’s action as “truly unthinkable”, emphasizing the misuse of judicial power. Similarly, Nikki Haley stated that she does not require a judge to remove Trump from the ballot as she intends to defeat him on her own terms.
Despite being more aggressive in his attacks on Trump in recent months, President Biden’s supporters urge him to focus on his strengths including the economy, bipartisan outreach, and steady leadership rather than getting caught up in endless Trump controversies. This is particularly important given that recent polls have suggested that Trump’s ban from the ballot could open opportunities for other Republican contenders like DeSantis and Haley to run a competitive race against the incumbent.
With the ruling in Colorado and Trump’s strong position in the party, the battle for the 2024 presidential election is expected to intensify in the coming months, laying the groundwork for a contentious and closely watched race.
(Reporting by James Oliphant, Nandita Bose, Andrea Shalal, Alexandra Ulmer, Jason Lange, Nathan Layne, Steve Holland and Susan Heavey; Editing by Heather Timmons and Colleen Jenkins)
