Just as Donald Trump’s enemies were starting to celebrate, a string of lucky events seem to have put the former president on a solid track to victory on November 4th.
Trump’s first debate against incumbent president Joe Biden was a resounding victory for the Republican, who appeared sharp and vital in contrast to his aging and sometimes incoherent rival.
Despite criticisms that Trump made factually incorrect statements throughout the debate, critics and political commentators largely agree that he won the night.
Following on the heels of this victory came another momentous stroke of good luck for Trump: The Supreme Court’s ruling regarding presidential immunity from prosecution.
With the potential to have some of the criminal charges against him delayed or dismissed and public sentiment rapidly turning against Biden, could this be a decisive moment on Donald Trump’s Road to victory?
More importantly, what would another Trump term mean for Tennessee and Lakeland – one of the best places in the US to raise a family – in particular?
A Turnaround in Trump’s Fortunes
Just a few months before election day, Donald Trump’s chances of victory seemed to be waning as the summer heat started to pick up across America.
Following his conviction on document falsification charges, Trump was not only facing the prospect of actual jail time, but also seemed to be losing credibility fast in the eyes of voters.
But as is often the case on the roller coaster of politics, the former president’s fortunes now seem to be totally reversed.
- Trump’s first debate against Joe Biden, which some observers now say will be the only one of the season, was a major confidence boost – not only for the former real estate mogul but also for Republican voters.
- From the first moments of the debate to the closing statements, Trump presented a youthful, energetic, and aggressive persona that couldn’t have been more different than Biden’s frail and sometimes confused performance.
2024 presidential election odds in favor of Trump (+260) rose dramatically after the debate, which was considered a victory for the 78-year-old. His chances of winning seem even better in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling.
In a decision that was not unanimous, the Supreme Court ruled that the President’s actions carried out in his official capacity during his time in the White House deserve immunity from prosecution, and any evidence relating to these actions can’t be used in other cases.
- Cutting through the legal jargon, the implications of this ruling may be far-reaching for Trump as he seeks to have the pending criminal charges against him dropped or delayed.
- The Trump campaign has long maintained that its leader has been the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt – an accusation that Democrats dispute on the grounds that no person is above the law.
- The recent Supreme Court ruling, however, seems to contradict this in certain special cases, and many of Trump’s actions while in office may fit these legal requirements.
The best-case scenario for Trump is that the Supreme Court ruling could result in his legal woes disappearing at a time when Democrats themselves are calling for Biden’s resignation from the campaign.
This would give the Republican a definite advantage as he enters the final leg of the campaign trail without the prospect of legal proceedings weighing on his mind.
At the same time, a new Democrat candidate may struggle to gain political momentum with just a few months to go until the elections.
What a Trump presidency could mean for Tennessee
The volunteer state has traditionally voted Republican, and there’s no doubt that MAGA enjoys a significant support base in Tennessee.
A second term for Trump could see a variety of policies play out that some citizens of the state may strongly support, while other proposed laws may be controversial.
The issue of pro-choice, which Trump has said should be decided by the states, is probably the biggest item on the political agenda for the next four years.
A new poll by Vanderbilt reveals that just over half the state favors pro-choice and abortion rights, but there may be a push from some members of the Republic party to legislate against it nonetheless.
Regular recurring political themes like crime and violence are rearing their heads again as state senators lament the lack of punishment for criminals in cities like Memphis and Nashville.
Finally, gun control, which has been a controversial topic for many years in the state, may have the potential to be relaxed under Trump’s administration. This move could win him increased support among members of the NRA who traditionally align themselves with his political views.
Final thoughts
In light of the first debate between Trump and Biden and the favorable Supreme Court ruling granting the present immunity from prosecution of official acts, it seems increasingly like Donald Trump may win the November election.
For Tennessee, this could shift the political balance away from pro-choice while placing an emphasis on law and order and loosening gun controls for legitimate owners of weapons.
No election can be fully predicted until the ballots are cast. Residents of Tennessee will want to watch the unfolding drama on the political stage carefully and monitor the latest polls and betting numbers as they track the progress of the 2024 race.
