Interia cooperates with leading editorial offices in the world. Every Friday, as part of the “Interia Closer to the World” series, we publish the most interesting texts from opinion-forming foreign newspapers. The Washington Post, founded in 1877, from which the article below comes, is the oldest newspaper in the USA. Its journalists have won the Pulitzer Prize 73 times.
“Are you ready for Trump '28?? – he asked Stephen K. Bannoninfluential podcast host, former chief strategist Donald Trump and the most important speaker during Sunday's 112th Young Republicans Club dinner in New York.
The thousand-strong audience roared in approval. Bannon then suggested that he consulted with another Trump ally, To Mick Daviswho suggested that loophole in the constitution will allow Trump to run for a third term.
Davis – who became a bright figure in right-wing media and a Trump-related authority on legal matters – sat and listened as Bannon mentioned his name. But did he actually suggest to Bannon that Trump may run for a third time? – Of course not! Davis later told a reporter. “It's crazy,” he added.
Donald Trump's third term? Republicans on the loophole in the constitution
Why madness? 22nd amendment states that “no person may be elected to the office of President more than twice and no person who has held the office of President or served as President for more than two years of the term to which another person was elected may be elected to the office of President more than once.”
However, some on the right have suggested – without any legal basis – that this amendment applies to the next two termswhich would allow Trump to run for third term at the age of 82.
Trump did not attend the dinner in his hometown. He didn't have to – every speaker there praised him anyway. Guests wore handbags and scarves with his name embroidered on them. Some women even had it Trumpian hair clipswhich secured sophisticated updos. Several men set up red MAGA hats (from “Make America Great Again” – editor's note). The president-elect recorded two video speeches, which were played on huge screens in the hall.
While Trump's media allies Jack Posobiec and Alex Bruesewitz paced the cavernous hall, Bannon and other Trump advisers were greeted by the British politician and Brexiteer Nigel Farage. During his speech, Bruesewitz fainted and fell off the stage, and the master of ceremonies Raheem Kassam he later assured the audience that the man was recovering.
The best result since 1988
Trump's first campaign chief in 2016, Corey Lewandowskishouted “Shut up!” to silence the room at the beginning of his speech in which he praised the president-elect's nominations to lead key agencies in the new administration, including Kasha Patel already dyrektora FBI and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi already prosecutor general. Lewandowski also warned that “any person who exceeded his or her powers under the administration Bidenawill be held liable in Trump administration“.
Overall, the event, which took place in one of the most “blue” (dominated by Democratic Party voters – ed.) cities in the country, celebrated Trump's victory in the presidential electionand especially his “nearby” achievements. The Republican won 30 percent of the votes cast in New Yorkwhich constitutes seven-point jump compared to his 2020 result and a higher percentage of the vote than any Republican candidate since George’a H.W. Busha in 1988.
Celebration on Manhattan were the icing on the cake of a series of events in New Yorkwhich aimed to restore Trump's relationship with his hometown after almost a decade of freezing. He also organized a big rally at… Bronch and another one on Long Island. At the end of his campaign – as the place for its grand finale – he chose Madison Square Garden. This event attracted attention due to the racist jokes and rhetoric of some speakers.
Ultimately, Trump scored significant results among many in New York ethnic groups and – as he himself admitted – his strategy in New York she also helped him far beyond the city limits.
A New Yorker by birth. The city associates him with protests
Born in Queens Trump made his name famous precisely on Manhattan. Yet New York turned its back on him during his presidency. His visits to his hometown almost guaranteed an attendant protest. He eventually left the city and moved to his Mar-a-Lago mansion in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he made his permanent home.
Sunday dinner participants agreed that the election results in New York were real redemption for Trump.
“Trump not only won the election, he also won the culture battle,” he said Matt Gaetzformer Republican congressman from Floridawho recently withdrew his candidacy for prosecutor general in connection with the allegations (the politician is suspected of having inappropriate relations with a 17-year-old girl, violating regulations on human trafficking and taking illegal drugs). Gaetz denied these allegations. – It was more than politics. It was a cultural movement – he talked about the Republican's victory.
She interrupted Gaetz's conversation with the reporter a woman in a jeweled black dress and elbow-length red gloves. She just wanted to express that she is a “huge fan” of his and is thrilled to finally be able to safely wear “MAGA gloves” in the city. “More and more people want to be part of this movement,” Gaetz replied.
Republican mythology. “Third victory, second term”
Meanwhile, echoes of Trump's false claims flowed freely from the podium like wine.
– Donald John Trump he will place his hand on the King James Bible and fold it presidential oath. His third victory and second term Bannon said, repeating casually a thesis that has been repeatedly debunkedthat Trump won the 2020 election. – Trump won in 2020, didn't he? – he asked from the stage. The crowd cheered, but apparently not loudly enough. – Was Trump president or not? I CAN'T HEAR YOU! – Bannon shouted at one point.
In a sea of tuxedos, Bannon wore his signature layered shirt and button-down vest under a waxed jacket. The same Bannon – who served time sentence in federal prison for contempt of Congress – is scheduled to appear in court next year in connection with state chargesregarding the failed “build the wall” campaign. He pleaded not guilty.
During the dinner, Bannon recalled that during last year's gala, the club's president suggested to Trump that he organize a rally in South Bronxa working-class neighborhood populated primarily by blacks and Latinos.
The future of Republicans. Who will be president in 2028?
Earlier that evening, Trump's longtime adviser, Dan Scavinowho started working for the Republican at the age of 16 as a caddy, praised his boss's political turn. – When we left White Housemany people said that we were politically dead, that the game was over, Scavino began. – But everyone in this room stood up and supported Donald J. Trump.
“You are the reason why I will be back in the White House with the president in 35 days,” Scavino told the crowd, then – while still on stage – he took the call from Trump and put it to the microphoneso that the president-elect could address the audience directly.
Trump thanked the participants, only to later say that his campaign “almost won in New York,” even though that was the case Vice President Kamala Harris achieved almost a 13-point advantage in this state. He then suggested that In four years, Republicans will have another chance.
Despite Bannon's earlier comment suggesting Trump's third termthe president-elect's own comments indicated that he knew that in 2028, the party would have to move on. “Maybe in four years someone else will have to worry about this,” he said. And he added: – But we will help him.
Text translated from “The Washington Post”. Author: Sarah Ellison
Translation: Nina Nowakowska
The title, subheadings and abbreviations come from the editors.