Former President Donald Trump reportedly intends to seek a second term in 2024, and he has initiated the formation of a devoted Cabinet to advance his authoritarian objectives, according to MSNBC on December 8, 2023.
NBC News indicates that Trump is contemplating assigning key roles to some of his most contentious and uncompromising associates, including Stephen Miller as attorney general, J.D. Vance as secretary of health and human services, and Steve Bannon as secretary of defense.
The prospective selections have raised concerns among many observers, worrying that Trump might leverage his authority to erode democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
Notably, Tony Schwartz, the journalist and co-author of Trump’s bestselling memoir “The Art of the Deal,” stands out as one of the most vocal critics of Trump’s aspirations. Schwartz, who spent 18 months with Trump in the 1980s, has consistently voiced remorse for contributing to the creation of Trump’s public image and expressed profound concern for the nation’s future should Trump reclaim office.
In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber, Schwartz labeled Trump as a “sociopath,” highlighting that Trump exhibits “more sociopathic tendencies than any candidate in my adult life that I’ve observed.” Schwartz further cautioned that Trump is “completely unmoored from reality, in full gaslighting mode, and willing to say anything to survive, even if it kills us.”
Schwartz’s stance finds company in former Attorney General Bill Barr, once regarded as one of Trump’s most loyal and effective Cabinet members. Barr conveyed to NBC News that he “strongly opposes Trump for the nomination and will not endorse Trump.”
Barr, who resigned in December 2020 amid disputes with Trump over the 2020 election results, mentioned that he would determine his vote in a Trump vs. President Joe Biden general election.
Despite opposition from former Cabinet members and other notable Republicans, Trump maintains a leading position for the GOP nomination, as indicated by various polls. A recent NBC News poll reveals that 46 percent of Republican primary voters favor Trump as their top choice, while 31 percent opt for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, widely considered Trump’s primary rival.
A 270toWin poll average also shows that Trump and Biden are essentially tied in the national popular vote, with each receiving about 43 percent of the support.
Trump, who has not formally announced his candidacy yet, has been holding rallies and fundraisers across the country, where he continues to spread false and misleading claims about the 2020 election, the coronavirus pandemic, and his political opponents.
He has also been endorsing and campaigning for candidates who support his agenda and challenge those who criticize him. Trump has said that he will make a decision about his 2024 bid after the 2022 midterm elections, but many analysts believe that he has already made up his mind and is preparing for a comeback.
