Despite backlash from GOP members, former President Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 election in hopes of returning to the White House.

Article by Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter

PALM BEACH, Fla. - On Tues. Nov. 15, surrounded by his supporters and close confidants, two-time-impeached President Donald Trump, announced another campaign for Presidency at his Palm Beach residence, Mar-a-Lago. 

“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump said on Tues. “This will not be my campaign, this will be our campaign all together.”

At his announcement, he was surrounded by former First Lady Melania Trump, his son Eric and his wife Lara, son Barron, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle. His son Donald Jr. and daughter Ivanka were both absent from the event. Some of his supporters in attendance included longtime Trump ally Mike Lindell who is the MyPillow CEO, Trump Advisor Roger Stone, former congressman Madison Cawthorn, his chief political advisor Susie Wiles and present-day CEO of Truth Social, Trumps social media app, and former congressman Devin Nunes. 

His announcement comes after a devastating midterm for the GOP where multiple Trump-backed candidates including Kari Lake, Tudor Dixon, Blake Masters, and Dr. Mehmet Oz lost vital battleground states to Democratic challengers. Although Republicans gained the majority in the House of Representatives, they failed to flip the Senate, which will once again limit their agenda for the next 2 years. 

Getting to the White House will be much more challenging than both of his past times as he will have to face a formidable conservative challenger, Fla. Gov. Ron Desantis, to win the GOP nomination. It will also differ from the others due to the fact that President Trump is dealing with many legal complications as the Jan. 6 House Select Committee subpoenaed the former President and is currently investigated his role in the insurrection of the Capital. Despite the controversy, President Trump has remained popular among far-right voters. 

The ex-President’s Mar-A-Lago estate will be the headquarters for his campaign where he will remain for the duration of his bid. However, he has been known to host rallies across the country in hopes of gaining popular votes throughout states. 

President Trump will be making history as no other impeached President has ever run for public office again. He was first impeached in 2019 for “abuse of power and obstruction of justice,” said CNN. And then again in 2021, for his involvement in the Capital riot. He was exonerated both times. 

Heading into his third presidential run, President Trump's daughter and former political advisor, Ivanka Trump,  does not intend to participate in the upcoming campaign. In an announcement made on Instagram, Ivanka hopes to move away from politics while still supporting his bid for the White House. 

“While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena,” Ivanka said. “This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics.”