For the first time since before the November 2020 presidential election, two leading bookmakers have placed Donald Trump as the favorite to win the 2024 election. The 75-year-old appears to be leading the way of potential Republican nominees, even ahead of current US President Joe Biden, as per Newsweek.
According to BetOnline, Trump is currently 11-4 to win, with Biden at 13-4 and current Vice President Kamala Harris in third place at 5-1. Governor Ron DeSantis is the favorite in the Republican field, with odds of 10-1, and Mike Pence is the long shot, with odds of 20-1.
In an interview with Newsweek, BetOnline political oddsmaker Paul Krishnamurty explained how they came to putting Trump out in front.
“Biden’s approval rating is falling, and it looks less likely than ever that he will be able to get his agenda through Congress,” he said.
“A defeat at the mid-terms (70 percent likely) would further tie his hands and likely make for a very uncomfortable couple of years after 2022. It’s hard to see his brand being as strong the second time around. Running again, aged 81, may make little sense.”
“Harris meanwhile isn’t cutting through as VP or a viable alternative. Thus the Democrats look set to have a weak hand in 2024,” he added.
He went on: “While Trump may well still be indicted, the longer authorities wait, the more it will appear politically motivated and the more likely to get tied up in legal delays.
“It isn’t clear that the Jan. 6 Commission will deliver either. The effect may ‘detoxify’ Trump and the issue itself. “Finally, no serious challenge is emerging to Trump. Liz Cheney looks likely to lose in Wyoming, and therefore deter others from taking him on.
“The nomination appears to be Trump’s for the taking. But 2024 is probably still a tossup, like most presidential races of recent times.”
While Trump may be ahead of other candidates in terms of betting odds, the former President has yet to officially announce a bid for the presidency in 2024, despite teasing it multiple times.
Trump most recently visited Iowa on October 9, for a campaign-style rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Speaking to a crowd of thousands, the former president gave probably his clearest signal yet that he intends to run for president in 2024, according to The Times.
Despite not having officially announced his candidacy, Trump suggested a potential political slogan for a future campaign.
“Make America Great Again, Again,” he told the crowd. “Because we already did it.”
This refers to the former president’s 2016 campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” which is frequently seen on his supporters’ iconic red hats.
According to The Times, he said, the new slogan is different from his 2020 slogan, “Keep America Great,” because “America’s not great now.”
