Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis to address Republican Jewish Coalition as 2024 competition heats up

Former President Donald Trump and several potential 2024 candidates are all expected to make remarks at a major GOP event in Las Vegas this weekend, heating up competition for the upcoming presidential election.

Several high-profile Republicans will address the Republican Jewish Coalition at their annual leaders meeting, where organizers suggest it could be the unofficial start of the 2024 presidential primary season.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence will deliver keynote addresses. Mr. Trump will appear by videoconference.

The two-day program will also feature House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Senator Rick Scott.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin canceled his appearance after a fatal shooting at the University of Virginia last Sunday left three people dead.

Others due to appear, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, have been openly critical of Mr Trump in recent days.

“In my opinion, he is now a loser. He’s an electoral loser,” Mr. Christie told The Associated Press.

Mr Trump’s virtual remarks will follow his recent announcement that he will run for the White House for the third time in 2024.

They also follow his recent criticism of Mr. DeSantis, whom he called an average governor who is not expected to run in 2024.

Most recently, the appearance comes a day after Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. .

The special counsel will also look into another investigation into the 2021 Capitol riot and efforts to void the 2020 election.