Washington: Donald Trump has announced his candidature to run for the US presidency in 2024, and has filed the necessary paperwork with the US Federal Election Commission.
The document filed by his team on Tuesday designated a principal campaign committee to take in contributions and make expenditures on his behalf.
Trump later also addressed supporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
In his little over an hour speech, Trump offered an indication of how he plans to frame his upcoming campaign.
He said: “In order to make America great and glorious again, tonight I am announcing my candidacy for the president of the United States.”
“So from now until election day in 2024… I will fight like no one has ever fought before. We will defeat the radical left Democrats who are trying to destroy our country from within.”
“This is not just a campaign. This is a quest to save our country,” says Trump, ending his speech.
I’m talking about saving our country. I am asking for your vote. I am asking for your support. And I am asking you for your friendship and your prayers on this very incredible but dangerous journey.”
He added, “We will shatter the forces of tyranny and the glories of liberty for ourselves, and for our children and for generations yet to come. America’s golden age is just ahead.”
He ended with MAGA extensions: “Together we will make America powerful again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America strong again. We will make proud again. We will make America safe again.
“We will make glorious again. And we will make America great again.”
The scene was jubilant outside with “cheers, honking horns, and chants of “four more years!” coming from supporters assembled outside the exclusive club, the BBC reported.
Trucks outfitted with “don’t blame me – I voted for Trump” banners and American flags cruised the Florida neighbourhood.
A new fundraising email dropped for those watching the scene on TV from Donald J. Trump – subject line: “I am running for President. AGAIN.”
The former president has a massive campaign war chest and remains popular with the Republican base. But he has been blamed for the Republicans’ disappointing performance in the midterm elections, with a predicted “red wave” failing to materialise, the BBC said.
To run for president, Trump would have to win the Republican Party’s nomination – but others are expected to compete for it.
Last week Trump lashed out at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – a rising Republican star who is also expected to run for the party’s 2024 nomination.
Republicans are on the cusp of taking a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. Midterm voters have by and large rejected candidates who backed Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud in 2020, and many of his high-profile picks for office struggled or lost outright, the BBC said.
Trump also attacked current President Joe Biden for “bringing the US to the brink of nuclear war with his handling of the conflict in Ukraine”. Biden who was meeting world leaders at the G20 summit in Indonesia – responded on his official Twitter account saying: “Donald Trump failed America”.
