Donald Trump is running for president in 2024: Wednesday, Nov. 16

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will mount a third White House campaign, launching an early start to the 2024 contest. The announcement comes just a week after an underwhelming midterm showing for Republicans and will force the party to decide whether to embrace a candidate whose refusal to accept defeat in 2020 pushed American democracy to the brink.

“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump said to an audience of several hundred supporters, club members and gathered press in a chandeliered ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago club, where he stood flanked by more than 30 American flags and banners bearing his “Make America Great Again” slogan.

“I am running because I believe the world has not yet seen the true glory of what this nation can be,” Trump said.

“We will again put America first,” he added.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/trump-presidential-campaign-launch-2024/507-da4caac8-5f26-4185-a3ed-a921d4b2a5c1

One man is in custody after police say he intentionally set an ice cream shop on fire in August.

According to the Gastonia Police Department, Marvin McCaskill, 35, was arrested after DNA matched him to an arson committed at Tony's Ice Cream in Gastonia on Aug. 4. McCaskill is charged with attempted murder and other arson-related offenses.

Firefighters were called to Tony's Ice Cream on Aug. 4 around 5:45 p.m. to extinguish a fire at the business. A fire was located inside the building which they quickly put out.

Investigators said the business sustained minimal smoke and heat damage. An employee working inside of the building at the time of the fire was uninjured.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/gastonia-ice-cream-shop-arson-suspect-charged-with-attempted-murder-north-carolina-gaston-county-marvin-mccaskill-tonys-ice-cream-shop/275-99cce9ce-3409-4c60-885e-99ea36d6a18b

Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!