In a special report, panelists Mollie Hemingway, Juan Williams, and Meredith McGraw discuss the impact of third-party candidates on the 2024 presidential race, former President Donald Trump’s commanding lead in the polls, and the upcoming 2023 APEC Summit. Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas is expected to endorse former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination during their joint appearance near the U.S.-Mexico border this Sunday. The endorsement, if it happens, could have significant implications for the presidential race.
Abbott, who overwhelmingly won renomination last year and secured a third term steering Texas, is grateful for Trump’s early endorsement in the previous election cycle. Now, it seems that he may return the favor. Trump, on the other hand, remains the commanding front-runner for the Republican 2024 nomination, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley trailing behind in the polls.
Trump’s lead has only expanded over the spring and summer, despite facing four indictments, including charges related to his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. These indictments have actually fueled his support among Republican voters. Trump’s trip to Texas to meet with Abbott near the border will shine a spotlight on the contentious issues of illegal immigration and border security, which have long been top concerns for Republican voters. For over two years, GOP leaders and politicians have heavily criticized President Biden’s administration over the surge in border crossings by migrants.
If elected, Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation effort in American history and reinstate travel bans, as well as his “Remain in Mexico” program. He has also proposed ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to immigrants who entered the country illegally. Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign has strongly criticized these proposals, arguing that they would violate the U.S. Constitution, the nation’s values, and the rights of immigrants.
Border security is also a top issue for Abbott, who has repeatedly clashed with the Biden administration. In fact, the Texas legislature recently passed a controversial measure allowing state law enforcement officials to arrest suspected undocumented migrants during a special session called by the governor. The potential endorsement by Abbott and the joint appearance with Trump will undoubtedly bring even more attention to these contentious issues.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the alliance between Trump and Abbott could have a significant impact on the GOP nomination. The meeting near the border serves as a powerful symbol of their shared commitment to addressing illegal immigration and bolstering border security. It remains to be seen how this endorsement will shape the race and whether it will further solidify Trump’s position as the front-runner. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the campaign trail and exclusive interviews as the race unfolds.
