Tom Minear: Why Donald Trump needs to be on his best behaviour

Donald Trump had to be on his best behaviour when he announced he was re-running for president in 2024, writes Tom Minear.

Analysis: That was Donald Trump on his best behaviour.

He had to be. The conventional wisdom in the wake of last week’s midterm elections is that Trump has never been weaker politically, even more so than in the wake of the January 6 insurrection he fuelled with his election lies.

That’s because more and more Republicans are realising that Trump, having once promised they would be “tired of winning” under his leadership, is leading them to defeat after defeat.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he will be running in the 2024 US Presidential election. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

They lost at the 2018 midterm elections, he lost the White House in 2020, and they fell way short of expectations last week – largely because Trump made the midterms about himself by backing poor candidates and constantly hinting at his planned third presidential run.

Since then, Trump has made matters worse by dodging the blame and attacking his potential Republican rivals including Ron DeSantis.

Some allies tried to get him to delay Wednesday’s official announcement.

His beloved daughter Ivanka didn’t even show up.

But Trump had clearly listened to some advice, because in his hour-long speech, he avoided sniping at his internal foes and did not dwell on the election lies that have made him toxic among middle-of-the-road voters.

Instead, he honed in on the “radical left” and presented his “platform of national greatness and glory”, reprising his populist views on China, border security and crime.

It’s the sort of message the Republicans will want to take to the 2024 election. Just don’t hold your breath for Trump to behave long enough to be the messenger.