Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, has not given up on his political ambitions. He has announced that he will run for the presidency again in 2024, vowing to “make America great and glorious again”. He has also claimed that he actually won the 2020 election against Joe Biden, despite losing the popular vote by more than 7 million votes and the electoral college by 74 votes.

Trump’s announcement has stirred up excitement and controversy among his supporters and opponents. He remains popular with the Republican base, who admire his populist style, nationalist agenda, and conservative policies. He also has a massive campaign war chest, estimated at more than $100 million, and a loyal media following, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

However, Trump also faces many legal and political challenges that could derail his comeback. He is the first former or current president to face criminal charges on both federal and state levels. He was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on 30 March 2023 for violating campaign finance laws by paying hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election. He was also arrested by the FBI on 25 May 2023 for taking classified documents from the White House when he left office. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and has denounced them as politically motivated witch hunts.

Trump’s legal troubles could hurt his chances of winning the presidency again in 2024. According to a YouGov/Yahoo News poll conducted in June 2023, 62% of Americans said Trump should not be allowed to serve as president again if he is convicted of a serious crime4. The poll also found that 63% of participants viewed taking classified documents as a serious crime.

Trump’s political prospects could also be affected by his performance in the 2022 midterm elections, which were widely seen as a referendum on his presidency. Although Republicans gained some seats in the House of Representatives and retained control of the Senate, they fell short of the expected “red wave” that would have given them a decisive majority in both chambers. Many analysts blamed Trump for the disappointing results, arguing that his false claims of election fraud alienated moderate and independent voters, while his endorsements of controversial candidates backfired or failed to deliver.

To run for president again in 2024, Trump would have to win the Republican Party’s nomination first. But he could face competition from other potential candidates, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, or Senator Ted Cruz. Some of these candidates have already expressed interest or hinted at running for president in 2024, while others have tried to distance themselves from Trump or criticise his actions.

Trump’s popularity among Republican voters could also wane over time, as new issues and events emerge that could shift their preferences and opinions. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 600,000 Americans and caused severe economic damage, could be a major factor in the next election. Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been widely criticised for being slow, chaotic, and ineffective. His successor, Joe Biden, has implemented a more aggressive and coordinated response, which has resulted in higher vaccination rates, lower infection rates, and faster recovery.

Therefore, it is not possible to say with certainty whether Trump can become president again in 2024 or not. He has some advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. He will have to overcome many challenges and seize many chances to convince voters that he is the best person for the job.