Trump's Unconventional Campaign Approach: A Month of Silence Amid Dominant Polls
The Enigmatic Campaign Strategy of the Leading Republican Nominee.
Trump's Recent Political Engagements
Former President Donald Trump made a notable appearance at a South Dakota state Republican Party fund-raiser on Friday night, marking his return to a major political event after precisely a month. Despite being the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Trump's campaign efforts have been unconventional, with few formal public engagements.
A Quiet Campaign Trail
Unlike his 2020 campaign, which featured numerous rallies and public appearances, Trump's current campaign has adopted a different approach. His primary mode of communication seems to be press releases, which often link to favorable stories and polls. Additionally, Trump regularly shares videos where he addresses various topics while flanked by American flags.
Infrequent Onstage Appearances
Before the South Dakota event, Trump's last onstage political appearance was on August 8th at a rally in New Hampshire. Subsequently, he made a brief crowd appearance at the Iowa State Fair four days later. These infrequent public appearances contrast with his active campaigning in previous election cycles.
Strategy Amidst Poll Dominance
Trump's reduced campaign activity aligns with his overwhelming lead in the polls, which has expanded over the past month. His strategy appears to be driven by the belief that maintaining a commanding position may be the most prudent course at this stage.
Ironic Parallels to 2020 Campaign
Ironically, Trump's current campaign approach mirrors his 2020 criticisms of Joe Biden, who was accused of campaigning primarily from his basement during the early stages of the pandemic. Trump's campaign-style now bears resemblance to Biden's earlier approach.
Limited Event Participation
Since launching his 2024 bid in November, Trump has participated in only 30 events through June, as reported by Axios. This stands in stark contrast to his rivals, some of whom have attended double that number of events despite entering the race more recently.
A Challenger Acting Like an Incumbent
Trump's behavior on the campaign trail indicates a demeanor more akin to an incumbent president seeking re-election rather than a challenger striving to regain the White House. This is evident not only in his limited event participation but also in his decision to skip the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee.
Biden's Parallel Approach
President Biden, much like Trump, has not been actively campaigning. He has not held any campaign events in early primary states, even South Carolina, which he advocated for as an early Democratic National Committee calendar state. However, it's worth noting that Biden did visit the state to promote his economic agenda in July.
The South Dakota Enigma
Trump's decision to visit rural western South Dakota, a state where he enjoys substantial support and which is not an early primary state, has left many wondering about his strategy. South Dakota Republican Party chairman John Wiik responded simply with, "Why not?"