Politics
‘Gift’ for Trump? Colorado 2024 ballot removal energizes supporters, Haberman says
By Jake Beardslee · December 20, 2023
In brief…
- Colorado court bars Trump from primary ballot, citing 14th Amendment
- Trump expected to appeal to Supreme Court, supporters energized
- Haberman: Trump team sees ruling as "gift" politically
- Sources say legal troubles often rally Trump's base
According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, sources close to former President Donald Trump view the Colorado Supreme Court ruling barring him from the state’s primary ballot as a “gift” politically. Haberman said on CNN Tuesday that “They generally see it…as a gift. I mean, Trump is not happy about any of these cases, particularly cases that tie him to a charge of insurrection. But they see the way that they anticipate this will play out.”
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Donald Trump is disqualified from appearing on the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. Trump’s campaign condemned decision and said they will swiftly appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling could be overturned since the conservative-leaning Supreme Court may view it as lacking adequate due process. Even if it stands, the ruling may not impact the 2024 election outcome since Trump wasn’t expected to win Colorado. However, it could influence similar disqualification lawsuits in more competitive states that Trump needs to win, Reuters reported.
The ruling cites the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause in finding Trump ineligible. He is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Haberman said his team “feel[s] pretty good about their chances.” She added that despite the legal troubles, “somehow, every time Donald Trump gets a piece of legal news, that in normal times would be problematic, it has had a rallying effect on his supporters.”