Topline
Former President Donald Trump recorded a GOP fundraising video in which he said Republicans will take back Congress and the White House “sooner than you think” amid reports he falsely believes his “reinstatement” as president is imminent.
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Former President Donald J Trump speaks during the final day of the ... [+]
Key Facts
Trump says in the video “we’re going to take back the Senate, take back the House, we’re going to take back the White House – and sooner than you think,” adding, “It’s going to be really something special.”
The video was posted to the YouTube channel of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP’s fundraising arm, on Friday, though it is unclear when it was recorded.
Trump’s wording may be little more than an anodyne expression of optimism, but it comes amid reports from the New York Times and the Washington Post that Trump believes bizarre election audits in key states will lead to his “reinstatement” by August.
Trump also reportedly believes GOP senators who lost in 2020, such as Martha McSally of Arizona and David Perdue of Georgia, will be reinstated as well – though there is no legal framework for such a development to occur, for Trump or the senators.
Several in Trump’s orbit have denied he believes in the “reinstatement” conspiracy theories: his spokesperson Jason Miller said Friday “it’s not true” after his daughter-in-law Lara Trump said there are “no plans” for him to be in the White House in August.
Forbes has reached out to the NRSC and a Trump spokesperson for comment.
Key Background
The video was sent by the NRSC to donors on Saturday, in a text message telling them “Trump has recorded a message for YOU!” A link in the text message leads to a WinRed page with the video and a donation box telling donors to “help WIN back the Senate and SAVE our Nation!”
Surprising Fact
Trump expressed interest in running for Congress on Friday. “It’s very interesting. That’s so interesting,” Trump said in an interview with right-wing commentator Wayne Allyn Root on Saturday after Root suggested he run for the House to become speaker and obstruct President Joe Biden’s agenda – though House membership is not required to become speaker. Trump said others have also urged him to run for Senate.
What To Watch For
Trump is slated to speak at a North Carolina GOP convention on Saturday evening. Trump plans to slam Biden on everything from taxes to China and attack Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official, according to the Times, though it is unclear what, if anything, he will say about the 2020 election. He has repeatedly, and baselessly, labeled the outcome “rigged” in statements put out through his political action committee.
