Trump hosts New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida
Reuters

KEY POINTS

  • Sen. Tim Scott seemingly confirmed his ambition to run for the presidency in 2024 in his book
  • Nikki Haley has teased plans to declare her bid on Feb. 15
  • Scott and Haley are also set to attend a presidential candidate forum on March 18

Former President Donald Trump may now see competition for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024 as two of his allies appear to be preparing to seek the nomination, according to a report.

One of Trump's potential rivals for the GOP nomination is Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the lawmaker's plans.

"Mr. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is testing a message with GOP voters in key early states focused on unity and optimism as some Republicans say it is time to move on from the Trump era," according to the outlet.

It said that Jennifer DeCasper, a senior adviser, relayed that Scott is "excited to share his vision of hope and opportunity and hear the American people's response."

Scott seemingly confirmed his ambition to run for the presidency in 2024 in his book, "America: a Redemption Story." The book included a small print with a description that read "a rising star who sees and understands the importance of bipartisanship to move America forward."

Apart from Sen. Scott, former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also seems to have teased plans to declare her bid for the presidency as she pinned a tweet that read "See you on the 15th."

Jim Merrill, a New Hampshire-based national Republic strategist, said Haley's announcement could also encourage other Republican presidential hopefuls to launch their 2024 bid.

"While there's clearly been some reluctance to get in early, she's setting herself apart and creating an opportunity for herself to define herself early, to establish her campaign," Merrill told Fox News. "I expect that we'll see other candidates get in soon, over the next few months, and that we'll have a robust primary field."

Should Haley announce her bid, she will become the first major Republican after Trump to do so.

Both Haley and Scott are also set to participate in the Palmetto Family Council's "Vision '24'" presidential candidate forum on March 18 in South Carolina in what may be a sign that they are preparing to become rivals for the GOP primary. They are confirmed to speak at the forum.

Former US president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley
Former US president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley GETTY IMAGES / MARK WILSON