Patriot Party: what is the rogue US political party - and is impeached former president Donald Trump involved?

Trump is residing in Florida after leaving the White House following his election defeat to Joe Biden

Donald Trump's time in the White House is up - but the former US president's activities remain in the public spotlight.

Trump, who lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, vowed to return "in some form" in his farewell speech to supporters - leading many to discuss where, when and in what form this will be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Following Biden's inauguration, Trump made noises of splitting from the Republican party to form a new party as he eyes a potential return to public office in the future despite a Senate impeachment trial.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for his last time as US president on 20 January 2021. (Pic: Getty Images)Donald Trump speaks to supporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for his last time as US president on 20 January 2021. (Pic: Getty Images)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for his last time as US president on 20 January 2021. (Pic: Getty Images)
Read More
Can Donald Trump run in 2024? If he could challenge president Biden in next US e...

Speculation intensified further after the 'Patriot Party' claimed to be fundraising together with Trump's active campaign committee.

So, what's going on?

Has Donald Trump joined a different political party?

On 22 January, the Patriot Party filed a statement with the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) that it had a joint fundraising agreement with the Trump campaign committee.

Just a few days later, on 25 January, another group - the MAGA Patriot Party National Committee also claimed to have a similar agreement with Trump's active campaign.

Despite floating the idea of setting up and leading a different political party, Trump has not associated himself with one and has reportedly been talked down from making the leap.

What has Trump said about the Patriot Party?

The committee of Donald J Trump for President has informed the FEC that it has not entered a fundraising agreement with the Patriot Party.

A statement reads: “DJTFP is placing this disavowal notice on the public record out of concern for confusion among the public, which may be misled to believe that Patriot Party's activities have been authorized by Mr. Trump or DJTFP — or that contributions to this unauthorized committee are being made to DJTFP — when that is not true.”

Furthermore, Trump spokesperson Jason Miller has told US news outlet Axios that his team has nothing to do with that group or any similar effort using the ‘Patriot’ name.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said in a text message: “We are not supportive of this effort, have nothing to do with it and only know about it through public reporting.”

What’s Trump up to now?

The 45th president of the United States hasn’t been seen in public since he left the White House on 20 January and returned to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

The filing on 25 January coincided with the opening of an office in Florida to handle Trump's duties as a former US president and push his administration’s agenda.

A statement read: “The Office will be responsible for managing President Trump’s correspondence, public statements, appearances, and official activities to advance the interests of the United States and to carry on the agenda of the Trump Administration through advocacy, organising, and public activism.”

Trump, who could often be seen championing the phrase Make America Great Again, is awaiting a Senate trial following his impeachment charge from the House of Representatives.

If convicted by senators, there is the possibility he won’t be able to run for public office again.