The former US President  in New Hampshire: After winning, he practically has the nomination in his pocket

JTFMax 2024 Election:

In a display of political theatre reminiscent of a Shakespearean drama, Donald Trump, at 77, seems to have the Republican presidential nomination in the bag – a feat achieved with just two primaries under his belt. The former president's triumph in New Hampshire, a state modest in size but mighty in political significance, appears to have sounded the death knell for Nikki Haley's campaign. Trump's victory tweet, swift and confident, seemed to echo the final gavel in a courtroom drama: “The race is over!”

Even though Trump won the victory in New Hampshire, he didn't celebrate it with champagne and fanfare. Instead, he spent the evening seething, and a dark cloud overshadowed his success. Haley had a nightmare of results, revealing her unpopularity within the Republican Party. The New Hampshire primary was unique because it was open to swing voters. It unfolded like a tale of two electorates: Haley captured six out of ten independent votes but only a fraction of the party faithful, with three-quarters pledging allegiance to Trump.

The numbers paint a stark picture: 54 percent for Trump, 43 percent for Haley, with her support mainly coming from outside the party. This statistic has sparked a chorus among Republicans urging Haley to bow out gracefully.

Not long ago, whispers of a "Trump twilight" filled the political air. November 2022 saw Trump, once a figure of unabashed bravado, announcing his candidacy in a subdued tone, leading many to brand him a relic of the past. The rise of Ron DeSantis, Florida's charismatic governor, heralded a new era. Fast forward fourteen months and the landscape has dramatically shifted. In a political tour de force, Trump has dispatched his rivals – DeSantis, Haley, and others – with the efficiency of a bulldozer clearing a construction site.

Trump's resurgence can be attributed to a cocktail of controversy and cunning. Facing charges, he played the martyr, rallying his base against perceived political persecution. His court appearances, far from being a liability, became stages for his political theatre. Financially, Trump turned adversity into an advantage: his campaign war chest swelled to $37.5 million despite hefty legal bills. He even monetized his legal troubles with merchandise like the "legendary detention photo."

His tactics against opponents were ruthless, employing mockery and manipulation with equal aplomb. Haley, in particular, found herself the target of Trump's brand of political mudslinging.

Yet, as the political pendulum swings, the question remains: Can Trump reclaim the Oval Office? William Eimicke, a Columbia University professor, believes it's possible. Trump's rampant demagoguery and the nostalgia for his first term play in his favor. Given the potential for national unrest, the courts will unlikely impede his run.

Facing an 81-year-old Biden, perceived as weakened even by his party, Trump's chances are far from dim. His impact on the electorate is undeniable, as evidenced by the record-breaking turnout in New Hampshire's Republican primary. Over 300,000 voters, surpassing previous records, cast their ballots, underlining Trump's ability to galvanize both ardent supporters and vigorous opponents. Still a force to reckon with, the MAGA movement backed Trump overwhelmingly, while Haley found refuge in the non-MAGA segment.

In a political landscape where satire and reality often blur, Trump's journey to the nomination reads like a script from a political satire. Yet, it's a narrative unfolding in real-time, with the world as its audience.