According to top officials, the Trump campaign is launching a new “eight-figure” advertising campaign this week that is partly focused on re-establishing President Trump’s standing among senior citizens.
Why it’s important: Senior citizens are the most trusted constituency and they formed the center of Trump’s political base in 2016. But that is no longer the case.
- One of the most important electoral trends for 2020 – a development that deeply worries Trump advisers – is that many seniors have left Trump for Joe Dan. According to a recent public opinion poll, Biden has a 20-point lead over the president among voters aged 65 and over.
Behind the scenes: On a call Monday morning, senior Trump campaign officials were asked if Trump had a path to the 270 electoral votes he enjoyed in 2016 unless he received strong support from seniors.
- Trump campaign manager Bill Steppe replied, “You’re seeing really good, really strong advertising that we’re out of the box this week, appealing to seniors.”
- “We know that, it has been tested, test the charts, the message that seniors want to see and that is being delivered to them. So whatever slippage you can see in your number of seniors, I’m sure That will be addressed. “
Jason Miller, Trump’s senior adviser, followed the call Send me some examples of these ads that will “test the charts” with seniors and run on the battlefield this week.
- The main concern for older voters – the first announcement, “carefully,” defends the management of COVID-19 by Trump. The ad features a clip of Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, saying, “I can’t imagine … anyone could do more.” (Fauqi said the campaign took his words out of context and did not agree to appear in the ad.)
- Other ads for “Who’s Better” and “Real Leadership” have attacked Biden on issues including Social Security and Medicare, the cost of prescription drugs, support for veterans, and controlling terrorism.
Between the lines: Asked about Trump’s weak support among seniors, Stephen said, “I’m pretty sure there are some votes that we don’t show well in certain parts of the country or among certain voting populations.”
- “But I’m more than certain,” Stephen added, “depending on the president’s appeal, policies and the outreach he’s been running since last time. That particular voting population can be offset by the benefits of blacks, Hispanics and others.
- Miller said the Trump campaign is also running ads on national networks this week that reach out to African American and Hispanic communities.
Big picture: Miller said the campaign has purchased national broadcast and cable advertising, but will target 10 war-torn states: Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada and the Maine 2G Congress.
- Trump, who just 11 days ago announced he had tested positive for coronavirus, has been booked for a heavy week of campaign travel starting tonight in Florida.
- “The president is looking forward to getting back there,” Miller said. “The president was running on my case this morning for not scheduling enough rallies and public events even in our morning conversation.”
- “I expect to see it out there, at least two to three programs a day in the short term. It will only grow as election day approaches.”
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