When Trump departed from his presidential tenure in January 2021, he did so amidst a whirlwind of events and varying public opinions. Yet, despite the odds, Trump’s favorability rating has ascended nearly 10 points to 43.7%, showcasing his indomitable spirit and perennial support base.
Indeed, Trump has emerged victorious from a multitude of testing situations. These include overcoming two impeachment trials, surviving from diverse adversarial legal predicaments, and rebounding from two shocking assassination attempts. His formidable resilience has painted a potent picture of political staying power, rarely seen before.
His resilient character is eloquently encapsulated by the iconic image emerging from his first brush with an assassination attempt. His clenched fist and the stern determination etched on his face have become emblematic symbols that echo ‘fight, fight, fight’. This rallying cry continues to fuel the conviction of his supporters.
There was indeed a time when Trump’s political future seemed uncertain. He had faced an election loss, and the legal battles surrounding it weren’t going in his favor. But as history has shown, yielding is never an option for Trump.
The reality, while potent, seemed to culminate in a wave of officials stepping down from their positions in his administration. These included Elaine Chao and Betsy DeVos, the Transportation and Education Secretaries, respectively.
Then, amid the chaos, there arose voices of dissent from within his closest ranks. Figures such as former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) echoed their disapproval. However, as events unfolded, the tide started to turn.
Take, for instance, Trump’s swift resurgence. McCarthy made a notable trip to Palm Beach, Florida, a significant event that transpired as Trump’s second impeachment trial was being prepared.
The results of this trial, in fact, favored Trump; the Senate voted to acquit him, with a significant majority of Republicans opposing a conviction. Unsurprisingly, Trump’s prowess prevailed.
May 2024 saw an unexpected turnaround. Although Trump was in the midst of a Manhattan jury trial involving alleged hush money payments, he expertly navigated his way to triumph.
In what can be described as collateral triumphs, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of presidential immunity for official acts, a challenge that had implications for another case involving Trump. Consequently, that case was not able to move forward, lending another win to Trump’s record.
Indeed, Trump’s touch seems to extend even beyond his personal victories. Congress itself appears to have been reshaped in his image, with the Senate’s major critic, McConnell, planning to step down as leader.
Moreover, the House of Represenatives saw only two of the 10 Republicans who had previously voted for Trump’s impeachment remaining in service. Both are nearing challenging re-elections. The remaining senators who had voted for Trump’s conviction, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), seem to be a shrinking minority.
An important tipping point was when Trump narrowly escaped with his life in Pennsylvania, just before the Republican National Convention. His triumphant arrival in Milwaukee was met with a euphoria typically reserved for national heroes.
Those who support Trump argue that the assassination attempts, rather than shaking their faith, served to cement it. Their determination to see him elected was only bolstered.
Addressing his supporters in Pennsylvania, Trump underlined the potency of the movement he has spearheaded for nearly a decade. ‘This is the greatest political movement in the history of our country, probably in the history of the world,’ he declared proudly.
Trump’s unrelenting belief in his mission, and the role of his supporters in making that dream a reality, was also succinctly highlighted. ‘If we win this election, it’ll go down as the greatest political event in the history of our country,’ he asserted, placing his supporters on an equal footing to himself.