ANAHEIM, California, – Donald Trump made a significant appearance in California on Friday, just two days after his absence from the Republican presidential debate in the state. His primary objective was to garner support in this pivotal state, which holds the most substantial number of delegates for the 2024 White House nominating race.
Addressing a fervent crowd of Republican activists and party members at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim, Trump confidently proclaimed, “With your help, we’re going to win the California primary,” which was met with an enthusiastic standing ovation. The convention took place approximately 25 miles south of Los Angeles.
Trump currently maintains a commanding lead in the race for the Republican nomination in the November 2024 general election. During his speech and social media posts on Friday, he continued to target his opponents who were trailing far behind in the polls.
He took aim at his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, highlighting the significant 37-percentage-point deficit DeSantis faced in the latest Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Trump quipped, “I hit him so hard he’s crashing like a bird wounded in flight.”
Earlier in the day, Trump also used his Truth Social media platform to launch a rhetorical attack on Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, who had been gaining ground in the polls due to strong debate performances. He described her as “Birdbrain” and questioned her temperament and talent for the job, noting her tenure as his United Nations ambassador.
In response, Haley retorted on a different platform, saying, “Bring it!”
DeSantis, on the other hand, was scheduled to speak at the California convention later that day. Earlier, he appeared at an event at the Port of Los Angeles, where he criticized California’s burdensome regulations, which, according to him, hinder American productivity. DeSantis also reiterated his criticism of Trump for skipping the Wednesday debate, emphasizing the importance of candidates showing up to answer questions and defend their records.
It’s worth noting that California is considered a liberal stronghold, and Democrats are expected to easily win the state in the general election next year. However, in the race to secure the Republican nomination, California offers the most significant prize. The state boasts 169 delegates up for grabs on March 5, and winning delegates on a state-by-state basis plays a crucial role in determining the eventual nominee.
Trump is poised to benefit from a recent rule change in how California’s delegates are allocated. If he manages to secure more than 50% of the primary vote in the state, he will be entitled to all 169 delegates, rather than having them distributed proportionally.
Many of the delegates who will participate in the Republican nominating convention next year were present at the Anaheim event. One attendee, Lori Cisneros, a 50-year-old farmer and teacher from Tehachapi, California, expressed her hope to become a Republican delegate in the upcoming election.
She disclosed that while she had examined other Republican candidates, her preference still leaned heavily towards Trump, citing his achievements in “making America great again” over the years.