Isabella Carter
Former US President Donald Trump has officially run as a candidate for president four times, in 2000, 2016, 2020, and 2024. Trump's 2024 campaign team includes senior campaign advisor Justin Clark, co-campaign managers LaCivita and Wiles, and longtime aide Dan Scavino. Trump's inner circle is said to consist of a tight, disciplined group of fiercely loyal aides. In 2016, Trump appointed Steve Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart News, as his campaign CEO. Trump's 2024 campaign has been marked by false and misleading statements, anti-immigrant rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and authoritarian populism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Campaign | 2016, 2020, 2024 |
| People Involved | Dan Scavino, LaCivita, Wiles, Jason Miller, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Michael Cohen, Justin Clark, Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., Barron Trump, Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Melania Trump, Stan Fitzgerald, JD Vance |
| Campaign Issues/Themes | "America First", anti-immigration, anti-clean energy, anti-transgender policies, neomercantilist trade agenda, "retribution", "Make America Great Again", "Keep America Great", "Promises Made, Promises Kept" |
| Campaign Strategies | Misleading statements, conspiracy theories, anti-immigrant rhetoric, attacks on opponent Harris, right-wing populism, authoritarian rhetoric, insulting language, QAnon content, chants and songs, law and order |
| Fundraising | Elon Musk was the largest individual donor, contributing $277 million |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's campaign issues and policies
In his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump's policies and campaign issues included a focus on "law and order", with plans to revitalise police departments and increase protections for police officers. Trump aimed to "dismantle the deep state" and "restore government by the People", by overhauling federal bureaucracies and imposing term limits on members of Congress. He also supported a permanent ban on taxpayer-funded campaigns and a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress.
Trump's foreign policy agenda was isolationist, with a focus on putting "America First". He aimed to end the war in Ukraine through a negotiated settlement and stop US cash flow to the country. Trump also wanted to pursue peace through strength, rebuilding American military might and modernising the country's nuclear arsenal.
Trump's campaign also focused on immigration, with plans to initiate a mass deportation of illegal immigrants and expel DACA recipients. He supported leaving abortion laws up to individual states and has stated he would allow red states to monitor women's pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans. Trump's energy policy included increasing oil drilling on public lands and offering tax breaks to oil, gas, and coal producers.
Trump's economic policies included lower taxes, bigger paychecks, and more jobs for American workers. He also supported universal school choice, allowing parents to choose between public, private, or religious schools for their children.
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Trump's campaign aides and allies
Dan Scavino
Dan Scavino is one of Trump's longest-serving aides, dating back to the 1990s when he worked as a golf caddie. Scavino has been a loyal companion throughout Trump's three presidential campaigns and four years in the White House. Trump often credits Scavino for his pivotal role in securing the presidency in 2016. Scavino embodies the reliability that Trump values in his inner circle.
Jason Miller
Jason Miller is a senior campaign adviser, focusing on communications strategy. He aims to shape media reporting on Trump through frequent interactions with reporters. Miller has a long history in political strategy, initially working for Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 presidential campaign before joining Trump's team after Cruz's exit.
LaCivita
LaCivita, a veteran Republican operative, joined Trump's team in late 2022. He is known for his aggressive approach to attacking political foes. LaCivita has worked on various state and federal campaigns, including the 2016 presidential bid of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. In Trump's campaign, he serves as co-campaign manager alongside Wiles.
Wiles
Wiles played a crucial role in Trump's victories in Florida during the 2016 and 2020 elections. She is known for her ability to thrive under pressure and her strategic thinking skills. Wiles maintains a low profile, rarely engaging with the press.
Steve Bannon
Steve Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News, served as the chairman of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Bannon described Breitbart News as "the platform for the alt-right," reflecting the movement's coalescence around Trump's candidacy. Bannon was later sentenced to prison for criminal acts connected to Trump's campaign and presidency.
Paul Manafort
Paul Manafort chaired Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and was later sentenced to prison for criminal acts linked to the campaign and Trump's presidency.
Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen, Trump's campaign counsel, was also sentenced to prison for criminal acts associated with the campaign and Trump's presidency.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk was Trump's largest individual donor for the 2024 election, contributing $277 million. Musk's support primarily went towards Super PACs and initiatives that aligned with Trump's campaign themes, such as opposing a national abortion ban.
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Trump's campaign funding and donors
Trump's 2024 presidential campaign was largely self-funded, with the former president using his Trump 47 Committee to collect funds from bigger donors. This joint fundraising committee, which includes the RNC, raised $327.5 million. Trump's campaign committee raised $388 million in total between January 2023 and October 16, 2024, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Trump's largest individual donor was Elon Musk, who spent $277 million to elect Trump and allied Republicans. Musk's donations primarily went to his Super Pac, America PAC, which ran what The Washington Post described as the most significant get-out-the-vote operation for Trump. Musk also gave $20.5 million to an "RBG PAC" that sought to use the name of former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to convince voters that Trump would not sign a national abortion ban.
Trump's donors have also helped finance his personal legal bills through his leadership PAC Save America. Trump's campaign initially skimmed money from small-money donors for his legal fund, taking 10% of every dollar raised through his website for Save America.
Trump's campaign issues included initiating a mass deportation of illegal immigrants, pursuing an "America First" foreign policy agenda, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, and pursuing an anti-clean energy platform. He also proposed expanding the authority of the executive branch over the federal government, which critics described as an authoritarian state.
Trump's campaign rhetoric was characterized by false and misleading statements, anti-immigrant nativism, and anti-transgender fearmongering. He also embraced right-wing populism and described his political opponents as "evil" and "dangerous".
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Trump's campaign rallies and advertising
Trump held his first reelection campaign rally on February 1, 2017, less than two weeks after becoming president. This early start to his reelection campaign set the tone for his presidency, as he continued to raise funds and hold campaign events throughout his term. Trump's rallies have been characterised by his off-the-cuff remarks, personal attacks, and controversial statements. At a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on August 17, 2024, Trump deviated from his prepared speech about economics to launch rambling attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she was both a fascist and a communist. This pattern of divisive rhetoric and inflammatory language has been a consistent feature of Trump's rallies, with historians and scholars describing his harsh tone as populist and authoritarian.
Trump's campaign rallies have also been a platform for him to promote conspiracy theories and make false and misleading statements. His embrace of right-wing populism and anti-immigrant nativism has drawn criticism, with some accusing him of fascist ideals. Despite this, his rallies have energised his base and mobilised supporters to take action, such as knocking on doors and spreading his message. Trump's rallies have been described as a "comfort zone" for the former president, allowing him to connect directly with his supporters and energise his base.
In terms of advertising, Trump successfully utilised the slogan "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) during his 2016 campaign, tapping into a sense of nostalgia and a desire to restore America's perceived lost greatness. This slogan became synonymous with his campaign and remained a central theme in his subsequent campaigns. Trump's advertising strategies have also included controversial elements, such as his proposed mass deportation of illegal immigrants and his anti-clean energy platform.
Trump's 2024 campaign received significant financial support from Elon Musk, who became the largest individual political donor of the election. Musk's donations primarily went towards get-out-the-vote operations and advertising campaigns targeting swing state voters. Trump's rallies and advertising in the 2024 campaign also featured QAnon content, with Trump encouraging QAnon chants and playing a song associated with the movement to close out his rallies. This tacit endorsement of a controversial movement drew criticism from experts.
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Trump's campaign rhetoric and messaging
Trump's communication style has been criticised for borrowing from authoritarian playbooks, including scapegoating, appeals to nationalism, and attacks on the media. He has also been accused of using Argumentum ad baculum, or an appeal to force and intimidation to coerce behaviour. Trump's rhetoric has been described as using a three-fold strategy: telling audiences what is wrong, identifying who is responsible, and presenting himself as a strong leader capable of fixing these issues.
A central theme of Trump's 2024 campaign was "retribution", with the idea that "America has been wronged and Trump will make America great again". He also focused on issues such as mass deportation of illegal immigrants, an "America First" foreign policy agenda, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, and pursuing an anti-clean energy platform. Trump also proposed expanding the authority of the executive branch and directing the US Department of Justice to go after his political enemies.
Trump's campaign rhetoric has been criticised for its dehumanising language towards Mexican immigrants, with comments such as "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.". He has also been criticised for his attacks on political opponents, with statements such as saying his opponent Liz Cheney should have guns "trained on her face". Trump's rhetoric has been described as unlike anything a political candidate has ever said in American history, and he has been accused of fascist and authoritarian ideals.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump's 2024 presidential campaign was supported by Elon Musk, who spent $277 million to elect Trump and allied Republicans. Musk's donations primarily went to his Super Pac, America PAC, and he also gave $20.5 million to an "RBG PAC". Trump's inner circle of aides, including Dan Scavino, Jason Miller, and LaCivita, also played a significant role in his campaign.
Trump's opponent in the 2024 election was Joe Biden, who ran as a moderate liberal.
Trump's campaign issues in the 2024 election included mass deportation of illegal immigrants, an isolationist "America First" foreign policy agenda, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, and pursuing an anti-clean energy platform.
The alt-right movement coalesced around Trump's candidacy due to its opposition to multiculturalism and immigration. Trump appointed Steve Bannon, the executive chairman of Breitbart News, as his campaign CEO in 2016. Trump has also been accused of fascist ideals and endorsing the dangerous QAnon movement.
