Former President Donald Trump will hold a beachfront rally on the Jersey Shore in Wildwood, New Jersey, marking his third campaign rally since the start of his hush money trial in New York. While New Jersey is not considered a battleground state due to Biden winning by a large margin in 2020, Wildwood is part of a Republican-friendly district where Trump won the county with over 57% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020. Despite some Republicans questioning the campaign’s choice to campaign in a historically Democratic state, the campaign sees an opportunity to tap into the nearby media market in Pennsylvania and attract attendees from Philadelphia for local TV coverage.
Trump’s relationship with Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties from Democrat to Republican in 2019 and maintains a good relationship with the former president, has influenced Trump’s decision to campaign in Wildwood. Van Drew, who is leading the campaign’s efforts in New Jersey, is slated to speak at the rally on Saturday and has been involved in the planning of the event. The campaign aims to recapture the energy and enthusiasm seen during Trump’s 2020 rally in Wildwood and leverage Van Drew’s support in the state.
Despite Trump and his campaign’s assertion that he would take full advantage of his off days from court to campaign, he has spent much of his free time fundraising and playing golf at his clubs. Close associates of Trump have expressed surprise at the lack of traditional campaigning on the sidelines of the trial given the upcoming general election. Questions have also been raised about the campaign’s decision to spend a weekend away from court in New Jersey instead of focusing on crucial battleground states for the 2024 election.
Republican strategist Matt Gorman believes that the proximity of Wildwood to Trump’s trial in Manhattan and his golf club in Bedminster may have influenced his decision to hold a rally in New Jersey. Gorman suggests that it is a cost-effective way for Trump to campaign in a Republican-friendly area close to his trial location. However, some view the choice to campaign in New Jersey as odd and inconsistent with focusing on more critical states for the 2024 election. Despite the concerns raised, Trump’s love for New Jersey and Atlantic City may have influenced his decision to hold a rally in Wildwood.
The rally in Wildwood will provide Trump with an opportunity to energize his base ahead of the 2024 election and leverage local support from Republicans in the area. The campaign sees the event as a chance to capitalize on the media market in Pennsylvania and attract attendees from Philadelphia, which is a critical battleground area. Trump’s relationship with Rep. Van Drew and his ties to the state may also play a role in the decision to campaign in New Jersey. Ultimately, the rally serves as a strategic move by the campaign to garner support and enthusiasm for Trump’s potential run in the 2024 election.
