Arr, methinks Ron DeSantis be claimin' that Tim Scott's support for Donald Trump be a cutlass to Nikki Haley's pride!
2024-01-19
Arr, Avast, me hearties! Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis doth reckon that Tim Scott's jolly endorsement of former President Donald Trump be a grand thump upon the noggin' of Nikki Haley, his rival for the grand Republican presidential nomination. Aye, the plot thickens, me mateys!
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sees Senator Tim Scott's endorsement of former President Donald Trump as a major blow to another Republican presidential nomination contender, Nikki Haley. DeSantis expressed this sentiment during an interview with Fox News at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. DeSantis stated that he believed Scott had already endorsed Trump and that this development would negatively impact Haley's chances. Both Trump and Haley had reached out to Scott in an attempt to secure his endorsement. Scott's endorsement of Trump is significant, as he rarely criticized the former president during his own campaign. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham have long supported Trump. The Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, which will take place on February 24, is the next major contest in the Republican schedule after the New Hampshire primary. It is a winner-take-all contest, meaning the winner will receive all 50 Republican delegates. Trump is currently leading in the polls in New Hampshire with around 50% support, while Haley is trailing behind by double digits. DeSantis is a distant third in the single digits. Haley has referred to DeSantis as "invisible" in New Hampshire and has framed the primary battle as a competition between herself and Trump. DeSantis criticized Haley's excessive spending on campaign efforts in New Hampshire, stating that receiving multiple mailers from her in one day was overkill. Despite speculation that he would not return to New Hampshire, DeSantis plans to fly back to the state after campaigning in South Carolina. He dismissed the idea that he was seeking an exit ramp from the 2024 campaign, emphasizing his focus on that election and the need for the Republican Party to regroup.