The President of the United States officially launched his new campaign for the 2020 presidential elections. His team has already raised funds for his re-election bid (according to USA Today, around $109 million). Thousands of volunteers are ready to act, and election headquarters are already open in New York and Washington.
Together, we are breaking the most sacred rule in Washington Politics: we are KEEPING our promises to the American People. Because my only special interest is YOU! #Trump2020 pic.twitter.com/bYyK6sOrak
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2019
Trump announced his new campaign to supporters at a rally in Orlando, Florida.
“Tonight I stand before you to officially launch my campaign for a second term as president of the United States,” Mr. Trump told supporters. “I promise you I will never ever let you down.”
Vice President Mike Pence was also present at the event, joining the campaign to remain as Trump’s right-hand man.
The election campaign will be much more tactically run than in 2016, and the quality of campaign videos will also be higher, said Trump headquarters. The campaign will be led by a businessman from Kansas, Brad Pascall, who was in charge of digital media in 2016 at Trump headquarters.
At the same time, according to The Wall Street Journal, this time Trump will be officially supported by Republican party members – the National Committee of the Party is taking part in the campaign, and have already hired 13 regional directors who will organize the work of election headquarters in various areas of the United States.
Rhetoric: Great Again
This time the slogan will be “Keep America Great!”, as a continuation of Make America Great again, and “promises made, promises kept.”
Don’t ever forget – this election is about YOU. It is about YOUR family, YOUR future, & the fate of YOUR COUNTRY. We begin our campaign with the best record, the best results, the best agenda, & the only positive VISION for our Country’s future! #Trump2020 pic.twitter.com/Vmu28hKQh6
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2019
In general, Trump’s rhetoric was more harsh and direct than it had been in 2016 – according to some experts, his positions are even more entrenched than they had been.
Trump will remain committed to populist rhetoric
Trump is attempting to strike a balance between the populist “Trumpism” that won him the election and the interests of the establishment, including the neoconservative wing of the Republican party and the Israeli lobby. Of course, the majority of voters are interested in Trump’s populist message – but he cannot win without the support in the establishment. However, too much reliance on classic republicans like Rubio or Graham could lead to serious problems down the road.
Promises
Trump was actively blocked from accomplishing many of his domestic promises – first of all, in Congress. Trump’s second campaign will largely aim at attempting to accomplish his political goals unfettered.
-Immigration. Donald Trump said that mass deportation of illegal immigrants would begin soon. According to the politician, the US will expel migrants as quickly as they come in. Trump also praised Mexico for the strictness of their immigration laws and their work to curb illegal migration on the US border.
Trump also harshly criticized his political opponents in the US Democratic Congress. He urged them to support migration reform in the United States, as this step “will help end the border crisis.”
-Economy. Trump made economic factors the key to his election campaign: two and a half years of his presidency have been accompanied by economic growth and a decrease in unemployment. According to some experts, this gives Trump a chance to win the 2020 elections.
He also announced the termination of international agreements on climate change and the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal.
“If anyone but me takes over in 2020 (I know the competition very well), there will be a market crash the likes of which has not been seen before!”
He also discussed the settlement of relations with China and the trade war in general.
The Trump Economy is setting records, and has a long way up to go….However, if anyone but me takes over in 2020 (I know the competition very well), there will be a Market Crash the likes of which has not been seen before! KEEP AMERICA GREAT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2019
Fighting Democrats and … socialism?
Trump criticized the Democrats for their wish to “destroy America.” He separately emphasized how inadequate the Democrats policies have been on issues like migration.
On no issue are Democrats more extreme – and more depraved – than when it comes to Border Security. The Democrat Agenda of open borders is morally reprehensible. It is the great betrayal of the American Middle Class and our Country as a whole! #Trump2020 pic.twitter.com/f9RJhpp50J
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2019
He also criticized a rising tide of interest in socialism associated with some Democrat frontrunners. If Trump’s 2016 campaign was about “draining the swamp” of bureaucrats and corrupt elements, then in 2020 it is about curbing interest in socialism (especially among young people). In part, this is included rhetoric against Democratic frontrunner Bernie Sanders, who professes democratic socialist ideas.
“A vote for any Democrat in 2020 is a vote for the rise of radical socialism and the destruction of the American Dream”, he said.
Pence has said in the past that “the moment America becomes a socialist country is the moment America ceases to be America.”
The moment America becomes a socialist country is the moment America ceases to be America. As @POTUS said, so we must say with one voice: America will NEVER be a socialist country. #CPAC2019 pic.twitter.com/mP9swjHBVt
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 1, 2019
The criticism of socialism comes from a ridiculous thesis which equates the Democrats with “socialists,” which is patently absurd when looking at figures like Joe Biden or Kamala Harris. Trump’s rhetoric is likely aimed at the older generation of voters who are less prone to “leftism.”
Note that a recent Harris Poll poll indicates that 49.6% of respondents in the United States expressed positive feelings about socialism.
Foreign Policy Priorities
Trump is known as an extremely unpredictable politician (one tweet overrides the next, and are sometimes totally contradictory). Therefore, one cannot seriously rely on his statements and gestures.
Nevertheless, on the eve of the next presidential race, he outlined rigidity in relations with China and Russia among his priorities.
Commenting on the trade war with Beijing, the president noted that the United States annually loses $500 billion in trade with China and the situation needs to be improved via a new trade agreement. Speaking of Russia, Trump stressed that he imposed sanctions against Moscow, strengthened the US Armed Forces and offered Europe alternative energy supplies to those provided by Russia.
Trump also commented on the rumors about a possible US military intervention in Iran after provocations with tankers. In this speech, Trump convinced viewers that he “does not want war” (although, in fact, he decided the day before to send thousands of American troops to the Middle East).
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