Former US President Donald Trump today announced his third bid to run for President in the 2024 election.
The 76-year-old's aides filed paperwork with the US Federal Election Commission for a 2024 White House bid. Trump is the first major contender from either the Republican or Democrat party to formally announce their candidacy.
Speaking to an invited crowd from the ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago private club in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump, 76, said: "We are a nation in decline. For millions of Americans, the past two years under Joe Biden have been a time of pain, hardship, anxiety and despair."
"In order to make America great and glorious again I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," he added.
Outside Mar-a-Lago, supporters gathered to wave Trump 2024 flags. Trump's speech lasted for more than an hour and touched on many of the same themes he has been repeating on stage for months.
These included border security, energy independence and crime as well as attacks on Mr Biden's record in office.
His wife, Melania Trump, joined him on stage at the end of the speech. But there were fewer family members present than at some of his past events and Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr did not attend.
While Trump is the first to enter the race and instantly becomes the front-runner, he is expected to face challengers. They may include his own former Vice-President Mike Pence, 63, and rising star Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44.
During his latest speech, Trump largely steered clear of rehashing his baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him by mass voter fraud. He left office after one term in 2021, refusing to acknowledge his defeat by seven million votes.
His debunked conspiracy theories riled up supporters who rioted at Capitol Hill in the final days of his presidency as lawmakers met to certify President Biden's victory.
In the wake of the recent US midterm elections, some Republicans and conservative media outlets have faulted Trump for the party's failure to achieve a decisive victory in the polls.
Though the party looks set to gain control of the US House of Representatives by a paper-thin margin, Democrats have retained control of the Senate and may even pad their majority after the December run-off in Georgia.
Last week's results were decidedly mixed for Congressional hopefuls endorsed by Trump, which had led to a rising swell of criticism from his erstwhile supporters.
