Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has opted not to sign a traditional loyalty oath in Illinois, which includes a promise not to support the overthrow of the government. This decision coincides with the third anniversary of the January 6 insurrection and ongoing legal challenges Trump faces, including indictments related to his business practices and his actions on January 6. Other candidates, including President Biden and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have signed the oath. Trump's campaign has not commented on the matter, and the former president is also contending with efforts to remove him from primary ballots in multiple states due to allegations of insurrection.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy declared himself and Donald Trump as the only two "America First" candidates in the 2024 race during a town hall in Marengo, Iowa. Ramaswamy, who is campaigning on an "America First 2.0" agenda, has aligned with Trump's policy focus on reducing U.S. trade deficits and shifting the burden within international trade organizations. With the Iowa Caucuses approaching, Ramaswamy's positioning alongside Trump could influence the first votes of the primary season. He has received endorsements from notable Republican figures, including former Iowa Rep. Steve King and Salem, New Hampshire, GOP Chairman Steve Goddu.
Liz Cheney, former U.S. Representative for Wyoming, spoke at Dartmouth College, calling on New Hampshire voters to combat what she sees as a growing "cowardice" in the Republican Party. She emphasized the importance of their votes in the upcoming presidential primary and criticized Donald Trump's actions related to the January 6 Capitol riot. Cheney, who lost her 2022 primary after opposing Trump, hinted at a potential presidential run to prevent Trump's re-election, stating she will decide her course of action based on the developments in the Republican primaries.
Ahead of the Iowa caucuses, a significant number of GOP lawmakers have endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, with over 100 House Republicans, 19 GOP senators, and seven governors supporting him. Trump leads the polls in Iowa with over 50% support, far ahead of other GOP candidates like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. On the Democratic side, several Senate Democrats have endorsed President Biden, while Nikki Haley has received support from 72 Iowa public figures and other endorsements.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a GOP presidential hopeful, downplays the significance of polls ahead of the Iowa Caucuses, emphasizing the importance of grassroots campaigning. Despite being targeted by political opponents and SuperPACs with substantial ad spending, DeSantis remains confident in his strategy, having visited all 99 counties in Iowa and secured key endorsements. He criticizes former President Trump's limited campaign efforts in Iowa and Nikki Haley's comments about New Hampshire voters "correcting" Iowa's decision. DeSantis, who won his 2022 re-election by a large margin despite polls suggesting a closer race, questions the accuracy of current polls showing him trailing in the GOP primary race. He is set to participate in a televised town hall on Fox News Channel on January 9.
Donald Trump's campaign has launched an attack ad against Nikki Haley in New Hampshire, signaling a strategic move to maintain his lead in the GOP primary despite his significant polling advantage. The ad highlights Trump's proactive campaign approach, contrasting with his previous runs, and suggests that even a small victory for Haley could be perceived as a loss for Trump due to the high expectations he has set. The campaign's actions reflect a professional and calculated effort to secure Trump's nomination, while also preparing for a potential general election battle.
Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, addressed the controversy over her Iowa comment at a CNN Town Hall. She explained that her remark in New Hampshire about Iowa starting the caucus process and New Hampshire correcting it was made in jest as part of the friendly banter between states. Haley emphasized the need for lightheartedness in politics and reassured the audience of her commitment to campaigning in Iowa, despite criticism from rival GOP candidate Ron DeSantis, who called her comments disrespectful. Haley intends to continue her campaign with a sense of humor, fighting for votes in every state.
At an Iowa town hall, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley discussed her strategy to surpass Donald Trump in the GOP race, citing a poll showing her beating Biden by a wider margin than Trump or DeSantis. She criticized Trump's "chaos" but defended the idea of pardoning him if convicted. Haley addressed her recent controversial comments on slavery and the Civil War, admitting a mistake in not mentioning slavery as a cause. She also defended her handling of a police shooting in South Carolina and her comments on the Iowa caucuses, emphasizing her commitment to Iowa despite playful banter about New Hampshire.
Former President Donald Trump has launched a new ad in New Hampshire attacking GOP presidential rival Nikki Haley, accusing her of being weak on border security and aligning her with President Joe Biden's immigration policies. The ad criticizes Haley for opposing Trump's border wall and visitor ban from terrorist nations. Haley has responded to Trump's attacks, which she refers to as "temper tantrums," by suggesting that Trump is intimidated by her campaign's momentum. Trump has also tried to label her as "Nikki New Taxes," a claim that Haley's campaign denies, pointing out that the proposed tax was never passed. Haley has indicated a willingness to ban travel from certain countries and has expressed varying positions on the border wall over the years.
Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, has faced criticism from rivals Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie for not explicitly ruling out the possibility of being Donald Trump's running mate in the 2024 election. Despite the criticism and a targeted campaign by DeSantis, Haley maintains that she is running to win the presidency, not for second place. She has seen a surge in polls in early primary states but continues to deflect direct questions about accepting a vice presidential nomination from Trump, stating that such suggestions are a sign of her opponents "losing."
In Iowa, a voter questioned Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on his perceived mild approach towards Donald Trump, asking why he hasn't been more direct in his criticism. DeSantis responded by saying he doesn't engage in personal smears and has highlighted differences on the campaign trail. The voter expressed frustration with Trump's past behavior and DeSantis' vague criticisms. Despite occasional swipes at Trump, DeSantis still trails significantly in national polls for the GOP presidential candidate race.
Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, is intensifying her criticism of Donald Trump as she gains traction in New Hampshire polls ahead of the state's primary. Despite previously working in Trump's administration and having a history of both opposing and supporting him, Haley is now directly addressing Trump's attacks and those from his allies, including a pro-Trump super PAC ad accusing her of flip-flopping on a gas tax. Haley is attempting to appeal to undecided moderate Republicans and independents, while also distinguishing herself from other candidates like Chris Christie by not being as harsh in her criticisms of Trump. However, some voters remain skeptical of her commitment to opposing Trump, given her statements about pardoning him and not ruling out a VP position under him.
U.S. House majority whip Tom Emmer has endorsed Donald Trump for president, joining other Republican leaders in backing Trump despite his legal challenges and the controversy surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump, who faces criminal charges and civil threats, still leads in polls against potential Republican rivals and is competitive against Biden in general election polling. Emmer's endorsement, which follows endorsements from other key Republicans, is significant given Trump's previous criticism of Emmer during a failed bid for House speaker. Despite internal Republican conflicts, Trump's campaign continues to gain endorsements, including from all three other House Republicans from Minnesota and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a presidential candidate, is repeatedly asked why he doesn't directly criticize Donald Trump but avoids personal attacks, focusing instead on policy differences. At an event in Iowa, voter Christopher Garcia questioned DeSantis's reluctance to address Trump's behavior, which DeSantis sidestepped by discussing Trump's unfulfilled campaign promises. Other candidates like Chris Christie and Nikki Haley have their own strategies for handling Trump, with varying success. DeSantis's approach reflects a broader challenge for Republican candidates on how to engage with Trump, who remains a significant figure in the party.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate and anti-vaccination activist, has qualified for the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, securing the necessary 1,000 signatures. Despite this initial success, he faces the challenge of qualifying in the remaining states, each with its own set of rules for ballot access. Kennedy Jr., a member of the prominent Democratic family, had initially considered running for the Democratic nomination but opted for an independent bid. His campaign plans to spend $15 million on efforts to gain ballot access across the country. With national polling around 13%, his candidacy's impact on the general election remains uncertain, as it could potentially draw votes from both major party candidates.
