Fears are mounting that former President Donald Trump may not willingly relinquish power if he wins the 2024 election. Recent reports from focus groups indicate concerns that Trump might attempt to establish a dynastic succession involving his family members.
Growing Apprehensions
According to a report by Bloomberg on May 21, 2024, Seiji Carpenter, vice president at David Binder Research, and Sarah Longwell, CEO of Longwell Partners, have noted these fears prominently in their focus groups. “We were talking to Latino men and Asian American-Pacific Islander women in battleground states,” Carpenter told Bloomberg. “And they went straight to the issue of, what if Trump won’t give up power?”
These concerns, while not new, have gained serious traction following Trump’s refusal to concede his loss in the 2020 election and his subsequent actions to overturn the results, culminating in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
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Dynastic Concerns
One undecided Pennsylvania voter in a recent focus group expressed particular unease about Trump’s actions involving his family within the Republican Party. The voter referenced Trump’s efforts to position his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, at the Republican National Committee. “I wouldn’t put it past him, now that he owns the RNC to say, ‘Don Jr. is going to do the next term, and he’ll get two. And then Barron will get two,'” the voter said. “And we’ll just have some fake monarchy.”
Historical Context and Credibility
Such concerns might once have been dismissed as partisan hysteria, but Trump’s history lends them credibility. His attempts to undermine the 2020 election included pressuring the Justice Department to declare the election “corrupt,” asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” votes to overturn the state’s results, and pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to discard the certified election results.
Political Implications
The notion of Trump positioning his children for future presidencies aligns with actions he has taken to consolidate power within the GOP. The implications of these fears are significant, revealing deep-seated anxiety among voters about the integrity of American democratic processes. These concerns are particularly influential in swing states, which often determine the outcome of presidential elections.
Broader Concerns
The fear that Trump could turn the presidency into a family legacy is exacerbated by his previous actions and statements, which have shown a disregard for democratic norms and processes. This idea challenges the foundational principles of American democracy and highlights broader concerns about the potential erosion of democratic norms in the United States.
Future Outlook
As the 2024 election approaches, these concerns will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape. Voters and political analysts alike will be closely watching to see how these fears evolve and what impact they may have on the election and beyond. The prospect of a former president attempting to establish a political dynasty is unprecedented and will undoubtedly influence voter behavior and political dynamics in the lead-up to the election.
