On Thursday evening, Larry Elder, a conservative talk radio presenter who became a breakthrough sensation on the right after running unsuccessfully in California’s recall election in 2021, announced that he will be running for president of the United States. Elder was a breakout star on the right after running in the election.
He made the announcement on Tucker Carlson’s programme on Fox News, joining a swelling Republican field that is headed by former President Donald J. Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has not yet made his bid for president official. Tucker Carlson’s show is broadcast on Fox News.
Mr. Elder shared with Mr. Carlson that his father had served in the military during World War II. He did his military service in the island of Guam. He served in the Marine Corps. He continued by saying, “My older brother, Kirk, who has since passed away, served in the Navy during the Vietnam era.” My younger brother Dennis, who served in the Army, was really stationed in Vietnam. I’m the only one who didn’t serve, and the fact that I’m the only one doesn’t make me feel very well. I believe that it is my responsibility, both morally and religiously as well as patriotically, to give something back to the nation that has been so kind to my family and to me. And it is the reason I am acting in this manner.”
Mr. Elder, a Republican from Los Angeles who labels himself as “the sage from South Central,” was the highest vote-getter among the candidates to Gov. Gavin Newsom in the attempted recall, and he would have replaced him if voters hadn’t decided to keep Mr. Newsom in office by an overwhelming majority. However, voters did choose to keep Mr. Newsom in office, and the recall effort was unsuccessful.
During his candidature for office, Mr. Elder received criticism from members of both parties. Some members of the Republican Party referred to him as an inexperienced opportunist. The most prominent supporter of the recall, who is also a Republican and a veteran sheriff’s sergeant, chose not to endorse him.
On Thursday, Mr. Elder took to Twitter to explain his intention to run for office and stated the following: “America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable.” We have the ability to usher in a new Golden Age for the United States of America, but first we must choose a leader who is capable of guiding us there.