Former Republican President Donald Trump has not officially announced whether or not he will launch another White House campaign in 2024 but that has not necessarily stopped him from smugly declaring himself the country's "45th and 47th" President during a session on the golf course.
A widely circulated clip appears to show Trump golfing at one of his clubs, a partner introduces Trump on the tee as the “45th President of the United States.”
Trump, without missing a beat, says he's the “Forty-fifth and 47th.” a claim that draws cheers and applause from those in his company.
You can watch the video below.
While playing golf, Donald Trump declared himself both the \u201c45th and the 47th\u201d President of the United States.pic.twitter.com/2sVPAKXemX— PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@PatriotTakes \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1643200443
Although Trump has not made a formal announcement, most prognosticators believe he will run for office again in 2024.
In November, Trump hinted he would announce a presidential run after this year's midterm elections, which will determine if Democrats manage to retain control of both chambers of the legislature.
Speaking to Fox News, he said "a lot of great people who are thinking about running are waiting for that decision, because they're not going to run if I run."
Trump's advisers have previously instructed him to wait before he makes an official announcement confirming his candidacy.
According to a Washington Post report, which cited individuals familiar with the discussions, advisers who have told the impatient Trump he has to wait before making an announcement are nervous that an early announcement would mobilize Democrats and increase voter turnout.
Trump's statements have garnered significant criticism.
A few pointed out in declaring himself the nation's 47th President, he admitted he lost to President Joe Biden, whose clear victory he disputed.
So he finally admitted he lost!\nOkay, indirectly, but still.https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1486316505373593610\u00a0\u2026— Peter "Chubby Pete" Jansen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc89 \ud83d\udc4d (@Peter "Chubby Pete" Jansen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 \ud83d\udc89 \ud83d\udc4d) 1643234168
What a DUFUShttps://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1486316505373593610\u00a0\u2026— Debra Pack (@Debra Pack) 1643233940
Election hasn't even happened yet and he's already saying he won https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1486316505373593610\u00a0\u2026— Sspyca (@Sspyca) 1643221688
So Biden\u2019s the 46th. His base is going up in flameshttps://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1486316505373593610\u00a0\u2026— linda (@linda) 1643227527
Lol, sure thing. . You were barely the 45th. I think Putin holds that rank.https://twitter.com/patriottakes/status/1486316505373593610\u00a0\u2026— E. Mac (@E. Mac) 1643229223
So Trump is 100% running. We cannot allow him to take power again. Period.https://twitter.com/ronfilipkowski/status/1486299232134967297\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8Drekavac\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a (@\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8Drekavac\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a) 1643220228
He's counting on it to keep him out of jail.\nFools.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1486299232134967297\u00a0\u2026— FanClub (@FanClub) 1643228640
Has he finally given up on 46th, then?— Kim G (@Kim G) 1643222409
Donald Trump has confidently\u00a0declared himself the \u201c45th and 47th\u201d US president while playing golf...He wants to lose again , fuck yes I'm ready to see him lose again— Liam Long (@Liam Long) 1643213952
Adding to the smugness of Trump's declaration was he made it while standing on a golf course.
Trump was often criticized for taking trips to his golf courses during times of national crisis, and earned the dubious distinction of spending more time on golf courses than any other President.
In fact, former President Trump spent time on the grounds of his golf courses or played golf elsewhere at least 308 times between January 20, 2017 and December 30, 2020, according to one count.
The former President was criticized at one point for installing a golf simulator in the White House at the same time his demand for a border wall triggered a month-long partial government shutdown.
His leaked schedules also featured long blocks of "executive time," periods when his schedule showed no official meetings.
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