Former US president Donald Trump could announce a third bid for the White House shortly after the midterm elections this month, several outlets reported.
Axios and the New York Times reported that he is in discussions to launch his 2024 presidential campaign on November 14 to give him a head-start on potential Republican rivals.
He is also expected to take credit for gains Republicans are expected to make in the midterms.
Mr Trump himself indicated he will "very probably" run again.
“And now, in order to make our country successful and safe and glorious, I will very, very, very probably do it again,” Mr Trump said of a 2024 presidential run during a rally in Iowa on Thursday.
“Get ready, that's all I'm telling you, very soon. Get ready.”
Mr Trump was speed-dialling confidantes to hash out possible scenarios as he looks to benefit from expected Republican wins in Tuesday's midterm elections, the report said.
“I think, like a moth to a flame, Trump will run in 2024,” one senior adviser told Reuters.
“I think that he wants to run and announcing before Thanksgiving gives him a great advantage over his opponents and he understands that.”
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This photo taken on January 6, 2021, shows Trump supporters battling with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol building in Washington. AFP -
A US House of Representatives committee has been investigating the events of January 6 and what role former US president Donald Trump played. EPA / Pool -
Reports surfaced earlier this year that Mr Trump took classified government documents with him to his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. AP -
Mr Trump's private residence in Mar-a-Lago. Getty Images / AFP -
Mr Trump launched his own social media site, Truth Social, following his ban from Twitter. Here, he airs grievances against Tesla head Elon Musk, who had said it was time for the former president to 'sail into the sunset'. Screengrab / Truth Social -
New York state Attorney General Letitia James says a more than three-year investigation has found evidence that the Trump Organisation misstated asset valuations to get favourable loans and tax breaks. AP -
Mr Trump and his family attend the funeral of his first wife, Ivana, in New York City. Reuters -
Mr Trump has endorsed a number of candidates for various offices since leaving office, including Joe Kent of Washington who is challenging Jaime Herrera Beutler for a House of Representatives seat. Here, Mr Kent speaks in support of people who took part in the January 6 insurrection. AP -
Mr Trump prepares to speak at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona. AP -
Georgia state senator Burt Jones prepares to speak during a rally held by Mr Trump in Commerce, Georgia. Reuters -
Mr Trump speaks at a Save America rally in Prescott, Arizona. AP -
A man poses for a photo before a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. Reuters -
Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dr Mehmet Oz, who is backed by Mr Trump, speaks during a rally in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Reuters
Advisers told Reuters it was possible the former president could still delay a decision or change his mind.
A representative of Mr Trump did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Non-partisan election forecasters and polls say it is highly likely Republicans will win a majority in the US House of Representatives and also have a chance at taking control of the Senate, which would give them the power to block President Joe Biden's legislative agenda for the next two years.
Mr Biden's public approval rating has been below 50 per cent for more than a year, coming in at 40 per cent in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
But Mr Trump is also unpopular after his divisive four-year term that ended with the January 6 assault on the US Capitol by his followers last year and his continued false claims that his election defeat was the result of fraud.
Mr Trump faces a series of investigations, including a Justice Department inquiry into classified documents he took from the White House after leaving office, some of which prosecutors say have not yet been recovered.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll late last month showed that only 41 per cent of Americans view Mr Trump favourably.
