'Hunger swagger': Kellyanne Conway insists 'underdog' Trump primed for election win

Kellyanne Conway insists that Donald Trump has retained the winning "swagger" that helped propel him to a surprise election win in 2016.

The former president's longtime adviser has no formal role with his 2024 campaign, but she appeared on Fox Business Channel to talk up his chances for winning a second term despite falling behind in the polls since Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumed Democratic nominee, reported Newsweek.

"The winning formula for President Trump is very plain to see: It's fewer insults, more insights, and that policy contrast," Conway told broadcaster Larry Kudlow, who also served as a White House adviser.

"He's got that hunger swagger underdog underestimated of 2016 back, Larry, and you overlay that with the four-year presidential record where we did have growth, we did have wage growth, we had low unemployment, the whole line that you and I know."

Republicans have been frustrated with Trump's strategy against Harris since President Joe Biden stepped aside, and have publicly urged him to focus on policy instead of character attacks. He and running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) have been unable to turn around Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's characterization of them as "weird."

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Conway said Trump should be focusing on the financial policies of the Democrats.

"He's proud of it," Conway said of Walz, whom she branded as "Tax and Spend Tim." "He'll brag to you about taxing and spending there and she's been no better, so if President Trump would just contrast the policies, he'll win, because he has a two-to-one advantage over Biden-Harris on the economy and inflation, on the border, on Israel and Hamas."

Harris and Trump are scheduled to debate Sept. 10 on ABC News.