OPINION:
You may have heard some chatter about potential contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. These so-called politicians and businessmen are trying to tell the American people they are the “better choices,” but let me be quite blunt with you: It is all noise.
Back in 2016, candidate Donald Trump knocked out some of the nation’s “most qualified candidates in history.” If you have forgotten, here is a list: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Dr. Ben Carson, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former New York Gov. George Pataki, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
As president, Donald Trump was a political outsider, transparent with the people. But this quickly made him the establishment’s enemy No. 1. He was constantly attacked by the mainstream media sycophants and even plotted against by people within his own party. Yet he was still able to act as the best president in my lifetime and build the Make America Great Again movement from the ground up.
Being a businessman for many years, when Mr. Trump constructs something he may not be happy with, he will go back and build it bigger and better. There is no denying that Mr. Trump is a developer; he sees a piece of land and knows how marvelous it could become … but only by someone with the right touch. Someone determined to bring a vision to reality. And if you don’t know much about developers, if they build something they don’t like, they go back to the drawing board and build it better again.
The next presidency will be built better.
Now Mr. Trump knows who is truly about putting “America First,” and some people who gained notoriety from being graciously allowed onto “Team Trump” have forgotten where they came from. Besides, many officials will never be able to govern accordingly because they owe too many favors to foreign and domestic parties. How many favors do you think the Bidens, Clintons, Boltons and Cheneys owe worldwide?
The ones who have begged and pleaded for an endorsement (ahem … Brian Kemp and Ron DeSantis) must understand Mr. Trump is back to claim what is rightfully his this time around. Do you like the way the world is headed, or are you ready for someone that will not succumb to the establishment’s pay-to-play politics? The next presidential election certainly does not belong to people like Nikki Haley or Mike Pence, who are where they are because of Mr. Trump.
The true president announces, and these fools have the audacity to even think for one moment they stand a chance? One could speculate they are intentionally trying to disrupt and cause tension within the party. We cannot rule out that other would-be candidates are already bought off as the establishment’s tentacles and reach have no bounds.
Anyone challenging Mr. Trump is motivated only by their personal and selfish gain. They are not standing up to serve the people; they are standing up to see how the people can serve them and their own interests.
To all of the folks endorsed, appointed or anointed that gained from Mr. Trump’s presidency: Are you truly in the game to “Save America” or are you in it for self-serving reasons? If you are truly for ‘America First,’ there will be a spot at the table for you, but remember how you became relevant in the first place. Where is your loyalty to the true mission and vision of making America great again?
There is one thing we know for sure … there are popular politicians in power at this very moment that would sell the American people out on a dime. Mr. Trump kept his promise of not selling out to special interests and will never bow to nefarious plans.
Whoever has the gall to show up to the 2024 primaries and stand against Mr. Trump has no intention of putting America First. The people are rising for Mr. Trump, not a two-bit chump. Putting America First should unite all, even the left and right. That is the one thing we all have in common. This is our country, and every American citizen and especially politicians should want to put their country first on the global scale.
So forget the noise and hold the vision for our future. When you think of who is the only person strong enough with the mental fortitude and resilience needed to battle the dark forces that surround our great nation … who will you pick? The man with momentum and unfinished business to attend to? Or just another grifter serving their own agenda?
Mr. Trump is the best leader and only choice to save America. It is extremely important that we unite and show a strong front as the GOP. There is no room for losers, liars and leeches. Shape up, or we will leave you where you are, and if you are lucky, we will send you a postcard signed “with love, America.”
• Bruce LeVell is a longtime adviser and appointee to President Donald J .Trump, and former Trump campaign 2016 and 2020 senior adviser.
