Trump’s Silence Speaks Volumes as Democrats Debate Biden’s Future
Amid growing Democratic calls for President Biden to step aside as their nominee in the 2024 presidential race, former President Donald Trump has remained unusually silent on the matter. While rarely shying away from a public opinion, Trump has largely avoided commenting, allowing the Democratic Party to dominate the debate over Biden’s political future, a strategic move that reveals his preferred opponent. Despite months of relentless attacks portraying Biden as unfit to lead, Trump now seems content to let the narrative of Democratic doubt unfold, a clear indication that he believes he can easily defeat a weakened Biden.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s Silence is Strategic: His silence on Biden’s potential withdrawal is a calculated strategy. He believes a weakened Biden is an easier target and allows the Democrats to further damage their own candidate.
- Trump Prefers Biden: While he may mock Biden publicly, Trump’s actions suggest he prefers a matchup against Biden, who he feels he can easily defeat.
- Harris is the New Target: With the potential for Harris to replace Biden, the Trump campaign is shifting its focus, launching attacks that portray her as equally unfit to lead and link her to Biden’s policies.
- The Stakes Remain High: While some believe the possibility of Biden stepping down is remote, the Trump campaign is preparing for all scenarios, recognizing that a new opponent could change the dynamics of the race.
A Calculated Silence and the Appeal of a Weakened Opponent
Two advisers, speaking anonymously to discuss strategy, suggest Trump’s silence stems from a desire for Biden to remain in the race. Trump is confident he can defeat Biden, and the current political landscape, filled with Democratic concerns about Biden’s capabilities, only reinforces that confidence.
“If you listen to the professionals that do this stuff, they say it’s very hard for anybody else to come into the race,” Trump said in an interview with Virginia talk radio host John Reid, dismissing the possibility of a new Democratic candidate.
“Biden does better than the people they’re talking about using to replace him.” Trump has even publicly argued that Biden is more electable against him than potential replacements like Kamala Harris or Michelle Obama, a talking point echoed by Biden’s allies.
However, recent polls have cast doubt on that claim. A CNN poll found that Harris actually polled two percentage points ahead of Biden in a hypothetical matchup against Trump. An Ipsos/Reuters poll even showed that Obama would defeat Trump in a hypothetical contest, highlighting the potential for a new Democratic candidate to pose a serious challenge.
Trump’s mockery of Biden, however, hinges on his age and perceived mental frailty, attacks that wouldn’t easily translate against another opponent. The focus of his campaign, which has been centered around comparing his own time in office to Biden’s, would be significantly hampered by the introduction of a new Democratic candidate.
Looking Past Biden: A New Target Emerges
Despite expressing confidence in a matchup against Biden, Trump and his campaign are already preparing for a possible Harris candidacy. They have ramped up attacks on her, portraying her as simply a continuation of Biden’s policies and an equally ineffective leader.
During the debate, the Trump campaign ran an ad suggesting that Mr. Biden was incapable of leading the country through a second term and warning that Ms. Harris was waiting in the wings to take over.
Make America Great Again Inc., the leading super PAC supporting Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign, sent out a list of attacks on Ms. Harris, arguing that she would be no better than Mr. Biden, particularly on immigration, an issue Mr. Trump has made central to his campaign.
Even House Republicans have joined in, with a new digital ad released by the campaign committee linking Ms. Harris to Mr. Biden’s border policies and declaring “Vote Republican. Stop Kamala.”
“Every good campaign looks at every possible contingency,” said Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump advisor. “The campaign’s strategy isn’t shifting, but it would be a dereliction of duty to not be prepared should Joe Biden drop out of the race.”**
This preparation reflects an understanding that a new Democratic nominee would present both opportunities and challenges. While a younger candidate could potentially appeal to voters who are weary of both Trump and Biden, it could also open up new political battles and complexities for Trump’s campaign.
The Path Forward
While Trump’s silence might seem like a strategic advantage, it also highlights the uncertainty surrounding the future of the 2024 election. While Biden remains in the race for now, the possibility of a switch in the Democratic ticket lingers.
“I believe the Trump Campaign realizes the 2024 race could very soon dramatically shift away from Biden’s capabilities to a fight for the heart and soul of the country,” Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, warned on social media.
Whether Biden stays or goes, the race for the presidency remains fluid, with the potential for surprises and shifts in strategy. Only time will tell if Trump’s calculated silence is a sign of confidence or a tactic to mask a deeper concern about the future of the election.
