Trump plans to host a rival rally close to the 3rd GOP debate.
Get ready, Miami! On November 8th, Republican voters in the area will have not one, but two exciting political events to choose from.
While other GOP presidential hopefuls take the stage for the party’s third primary debate, the leading candidate, former President Donald Trump, will already be rallying nearby.
The rally, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, will be held at the electrifying Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, just a short 10-mile drive from the debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.
The debate is set to air at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Since announcing his candidacy last November, President Trump has held a commanding lead in the Republican primary race. However, despite qualifying for all three debates, he has yet to attend a single one.
“He said he’s not going to attend the debates, plural. And that’s his position—until it’s not,” revealed senior Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita after the second debate.
The debates, according to LaCivita, have become more like a contest for “who’s going to be the designated survivor.”
While other qualifying candidates gathered at the Reagan Presidential Library in California, President Trump chose to deliver a powerful speech to striking autoworkers at a rally just outside Detroit.
The 45th president has repeatedly expressed his belief that participating in the debates is unnecessary, given his significant lead over the rest of the Republican field.
And he may have a point. Since the first debate on August 23rd, he has seen a remarkable rise of nearly 4 points in the polls, according to the RealClearPolitics average.To counter the debate, President Trump released a pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson that aired simultaneously.However, this latest move may not only impact the debate’s ratings but also its attendance.
In 2020, President Trump won Florida by over 3 points. Despite the popularity of fellow GOP contender Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the former president remains the preferred candidate of Florida Republicans by more than 10 points.
This, combined with President Trump’s ability to draw massive crowds wherever he goes, could result in another disappointing event for the GOP following a messy second debate.Legal Battles
Another factor that hasn’t seemed to diminish the former president’s standing with voters is the ongoing criminal and civil litigation against him.
Recently, he returned to court in New York to defend against a civil fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James alleges that President Trump, the Trump Organization, and his two adult sons fraudulently manipulated the values of their properties and assets.
Prior to the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron had already ruled that President Trump had inflated the value of his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, this ruling has faced criticism from real estate professionals who argue that the judge erred in relying on a tax assessor’s appraisal.
“Appraisal values and market values are just not the same thing. It’s a well-known fact,” explained Eli Beracha, chair of the Florida International University School of Real Estate.
President Trump has been openly critical of both James and the judge, leading the judge to issue a gag order prohibiting any public statements or social media posts about his staff.Furthermore, the judge fined the former president $5,000 after discovering that the initial post that led to the order had not been removed from his campaign website.
Christopher Kise, one of President Trump’s attorneys, clarified that the post had been archived on the website by staff and its continued visibility was an oversight.
In addition to the civil lawsuit, the former president is also facing criminal charges in New York, Georgia, and two federal cases.
The Republican National Committee did not provide a comment when requested.
Janice Hisle, Jack Phillips, and Catherine Yang contributed to this report.
What impact could President Trump’s decision to hold a rally in Miami have on the Republican Party?
May contribute to the limited attendance at the debate is the ongoing legal battles faced by former President Trump. Since leaving office in January 2021, he has been embroiled in numerous lawsuits and investigations, including inquiries into his finances, business practices, and actions during his presidency.
These legal battles have not only consumed a significant amount of his time and resources but have also resulted in negative media coverage and public scrutiny. This may have dampened the enthusiasm of some Republican voters, who may be hesitant to support a candidate with such legal challenges.
Additionally, the divisive nature of these legal battles could further polarize the Republican base. While President Trump still enjoys significant support among his loyal base, there are some Republicans who may be looking for a candidate who can unite the party and appeal to a broader range of voters.
Alternative Rally
President Trump’s decision to hold a rally in Miami at the same time as the debate is not surprising. Throughout his political career, he has prioritized direct interaction with his supporters over traditional campaign events.
These rallies, often attended by thousands of enthusiastic supporters, allow President Trump to connect with his base and energize his supporters. They also provide him with a platform to deliver his message directly to the American people, without the filter of the media or the constraints of a debate format.
By holding a rally in Miami, President Trump is able to demonstrate his continued popularity and influence within the Republican Party. It also sends a clear message to his supporters and potential challengers that he remains a force to be reckoned with in the political arena.
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