In the months leading up to the November 2024 election, former President Donald Trump and his campaign team made a series of strategic decisions that were as calculated as they were controversial. These decisions, detailed in a new book by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf, reveal a campaign driven more by political pragmatism than ideological steadfastness. The book, titled “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” provides a behind-the-scenes look at the choices that ultimately paved the way for Trump’s return to the presidency.
Among the most notable shifts were Trump’s stance on abortion, his approach to early voting, and a recalibrated focus on male voters. These changes marked a significant departure from his previous campaigns and were instrumental in his electoral success. CNN has obtained exclusive excerpts from the book, shedding light on the inner workings of Trump’s campaign strategy.
Abortion: A Calculated Political Stance
The issue of abortion has long been a contentious topic in American politics, and Trump’s position on it has been equally fluid. According to the book, Trump faced a barrage of conflicting advice on how to handle the topic during his campaign. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022 added further complexity to the issue.
The authors report that Trump, aware of the potential political fallout, expressed concern to his co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita, stating, “Oh sh*t. This is going to be a problem.” Following the Democrats’ gains in the 2022 midterm elections, Trump reportedly confided to an anti-abortion activist, “I have to find a way out of this issue. It’s killing us.”
Trump’s team, including GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham and evangelical leader Ralph Reed, advised him against supporting a nationwide abortion ban. A presentation by co-campaign manager Susie Wiles in March 2024 highlighted the risks of such a stance, particularly in key battleground states with more moderate abortion laws. Ultimately, Trump opted for a position that left restrictions to the states, a move that resonated with moderate voters.
Reassessing Voter Demographics: The Male Factor
Trump’s campaign also underwent a significant shift in its voter outreach strategy, focusing on demographics that had been overlooked in previous elections. Aides James Blair and Tim Saler analyzed data from the 2016 and 2020 elections and uncovered a surprising trend: Trump’s decline among male voters, particularly White men, was a critical factor in his 2020 loss.
Contrary to the belief that Trump’s 2020 defeat was due to a loss of female voters, Blair and Saler’s findings suggested that the erosion among male voters was more impactful. This insight led to a strategic pivot towards engaging low-propensity male voters, including rural White men and young, non-White men who were less engaged with traditional media.
The campaign’s efforts included appearances on male-oriented podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which helped Trump build a more diverse coalition and gain an edge with voters who had not participated in the 2020 election.
Early Voting: From Skepticism to Embrace
Perhaps the most dramatic turnaround in Trump’s 2024 campaign was his stance on early voting. In 2020, Trump had vehemently opposed mail-in ballots, alleging widespread fraud and filing lawsuits to restrict their use. This approach, however, inadvertently discouraged Republican voters from casting their ballots early.
According to the book, several advisers, including Sean Hannity and Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard, urged Trump to reconsider his position. The breakthrough came from Rob Gleason, the former Pennsylvania Republican Party chairman, who reframed early voting as an expression of enthusiasm among Trump supporters.
Trump eventually adopted the “Too Big to Rig” slogan, actively promoting early and mail-in voting. This shift was part of a broader effort to rebuild trust among Republican voters and counteract the narrative of a stolen 2020 election.
Implications and Future Political Landscape
The strategic decisions made by Trump’s campaign in 2024 reflect a broader trend in American politics, where data-driven strategies and targeted voter outreach are becoming increasingly crucial. The campaign’s ability to adapt and pivot on key issues demonstrates the importance of flexibility and pragmatism in modern electoral politics.
Looking ahead, these developments could have significant implications for future elections. As political parties continue to refine their strategies, the lessons learned from Trump’s 2024 campaign may influence how candidates approach contentious issues and engage with diverse voter demographics.
The book by Dawsey, Pager, and Arnsdorf offers a comprehensive account of the behind-the-scenes maneuvers that shaped the 2024 election, providing valuable insights into the evolving nature of political campaigns in the United States.
