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Donald Trump has raised the idea of running again for president in 2024 at a Christmas reception at the White House on Tuesday night.
“It’s been an incredible four years,” Trump told the crowd, which included many members of the Republican National Committee. “We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years. “
Trump’s comments seemed to acknowledge that he thought he might have lost the election. While speculation about a presidential nomination in 2024 has abounded, and many observers of American politics expect him to declare a nomination soon, he has not spoken publicly about it before.
The video was streamed live on Facebook by one of the partygoers, Pam Pollard, who is a member of the Oklahoma Republican Party national committee. The footage showed dozens of people huddled in the Cross Hall on the White House state floor, standing close together. Many of those seen in the video were not wearing masks. Coughing was heard.
The Trumps began hosting Christmas receptions this week, with the intention of celebrating one final season before Trump leaves office on January 20. Trump has not formally conceded, but belatedly allowed the transition to Biden to proceed.
According to social media posts reviewed by The Associated Press, White House Christmas events have featured large crowds of often unmasked attendees gathered inside, violating public health guidance that the US government has. 19 were shot across the country.
The White House has been the site of at least one alleged Covid-19 super-spreader event, and dozens of aides to the president, campaign personnel and allies have tested positive in numerous outbreaks. Trump himself was hospitalized for the virus in October, and the first lady and two of her children tested positive. Many others have had to quarantine themselves.
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman and chief of staff for the first lady, had said last month that the White House would move forward with events, “while providing the safest environment possible.” She said that would include smaller guest lists, that “masks will be required and available, social distancing will be encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizing stations across the state floor.”
“Attending the parties will be a very personal choice,” he added.
The video of Trump discussing the 2024 election emerged when he threatened to veto the $ 740 billion National Defense Authorization Act unless it included a measure that removes a federal law that protects tech companies like Facebook and Twitter.
“If the very dangerous and unfair Section 230 is not fully terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the bill when it is sent to the beautiful desk of Resolute,” Trump tweeted late on Tuesday.
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects technology companies from liability for user-posted content, and has come under fire from Trump and Republican lawmakers, who have criticized technology companies’ content moderation decisions. Internet platforms and accused them of stifling conservative voices.
The broad NDAA sets the policy of the Department of Defense. It has been passed for six decades, one of the few major laws that is considered a “must-have” because it governs everything from wage increases for troops to how many planes to buy to how best to compete with rivals like Russia. and China.
Congressional aides expressed skepticism that Trump would actually veto the legislation. Democrats will not agree to repeal 230 because the 24-year law provides vital protection for social media companies.
With Associated Press and Reuters
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