[ad_1]
Donald Trump, and his sworn rival Joe Biden, may not run in 2024 leaving the presidential election “wide open”, according to former National Security advisor under Trump, John Bolton.
The former president is facing a series of issues, from waning support to criminal allegations by the House of Representatives’ January 6 committee.
Despite a lackluster performance by Trump’s hand-picked candidates in the midterms, the former president announced his candidacy at his Mar-a-Lago resort on November 15.
However, Ambassador Bolton, who has teased his own presidential run to Express.co.uk, doesn’t believe Trump has it in him.
“I’m still not sure Trump is going to run, he doesn’t want to lose. He doesn’t want to be known as a loser. That’s why I was a little surprised he announced because now he’s got to figure out a way to unannounce, but that’s a breakfast for Donald Trump,” Ambassador Bolton told Express.co.uk.
He added: “So, I think 2024 will not be a repeat of 2020 and, in that sense, it’s wide open. There’s a huge opportunity.”
However, it’s not just Trump who won’t run, according to Ambassador Bolton. He thinks President Joe Biden may also decide not seek his party’s nomination.
He said: “I think both parties are going to be wide open for their nomination. I don’t think Biden’s going to run, ultimately, for his nomination.”
Pointing to polls showing Trump’s support “dropping off the edge of a cliff”, Ambassador Bolton predicted a heavily contested Republican Primary with potentially as many as 15 candidates, including, possibly, John Bolton himself.
READ MORE: Idaho murders: Police should have released key detail to public sooner
However, he added that competition was “a good thing” for candidates, including for the perceived frontrunner against Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Although I’ve known Ron DeSantis since before he won the election – the first time to the house back in 2012 – and I would be pleased to support him, ultimately, if he were the Republican nominee, I think competition is a good thing. I think he would benefit from a little competition for the nomination,” Ambassador Bolton said.
The comments about the former president come following an announcement by the January 6 committee that it had voted unanimously to refer Trump to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution on four counts.
The counts include “influencing or impeding an official proceeding of the US government”, “conspiring to defraud the US”, “unlawfully, knowingly or willingly making false statements to the federal government”, and “assisting or engaging in insurrection against the United States”.
DON’T MISS:
Devon boy pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital [REPORT]
War spills into Russia as Putin claims ‘US-made missiles’ downed [ANALYSIS]
Lukashenko labels himself and Putin as most ‘harmful’ people on Earth [INSIGHT]
The referrals are largely symbolic and Attorney General Merrick Garland will have the final say on whether the Justice Department pursues criminal charges against Trump.
However, it’s unclear what political implications the committee’s findings will have for the former president.
Although an executive summary on the findings has been released, a full report will be revealed on Wednesday. The committee will likely be dissolved as Republicans, of which there are only two on the nine-member committee, have won control of the House of Representatives.
As America heads into the 2024 election season, questions remain over whether Trump will mount a serious campaign and, if so, who in his party will challenge him.
[ad_2]
