Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his Republican presidential marketing campaign on Sunday, ending his 2024 White Home bid simply earlier than the New Hampshire major whereas endorsing his bitter rival Donald Trump.The choice leaves Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley because the final main candidates remaining within the race forward of Tuesday’s New Hampshire major. That is the situation Trump’s foes within the GOP have lengthy sought, elevating the stakes for this week’s contest because the celebration’s final likelihood to cease the previous president who has to date dominated the race.However as some Trump critics cheered, DeSantis nodded towards Trump’s major dominance — and attacked Haley — in an exit video he posted on social media.“It’s clear to me {that a} majority of Republican major voters need to give Donald Trump one other likelihood,” he stated in a video posted on X, previously generally known as Twitter.He continued: “I signed a pledge to assist the Republican nominee and I’ll honor that pledge. He has my endorsement as a result of we are able to’t return to the previous Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged type of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”Haley spoke at a campaigning cease in Seabrook, New Hampshire, simply as DeSantis introduced his resolution. “He ran an incredible race, he’s been an excellent governor, and we want him properly,” she informed a room filled with supporters and media. “Having stated that, it’s now one fella and one girl left.“DeSantis’ resolution, whereas maybe not shocking given his 30-point blowout loss final week in Iowa, marks the top of a unprecedented decline for a high-profile governor as soon as considered a legit risk to Trump’s supremacy within the Republican Get together. After months of contentious exchanges, Trump struck a extra conciliatory tone late Sunday throughout a rally in Rochester, New Hampshire, calling DeSantis a “actually terrific individual.”“I additionally stay up for working with Ron” to win the final election, Trump stated.His report wasn’t sufficient to beat TrumpDeSantis entered the 2024 presidential contest with main benefits in his quest to tackle Trump, and early major polls instructed DeSantis was in a robust place to do exactly that. He and his allies amassed a political fortune properly in extra of $130 million, and he boasted a major legislative report on points essential to many conservatives, like abortion and the educating of race and gender points in faculties. Such benefits didn’t survive the truth of presidential politics in 2024. From a high-profile announcement that was affected by technical glitches to fixed upheavals to his employees and marketing campaign technique, DeSantis struggled to seek out his footing within the major. He misplaced the Iowa caucuses — which he had vowed to win — by 30 proportion factors to Trump. His departure was days within the makingDeSantis’ allies stated that non-public discussions started shortly after Iowa to determine the best way to bow out of the race gracefully.The Florida governor notified prime donors and supporters of his resolution by way of a collection of telephone conversations and textual content messages between senior marketing campaign officers to prime donors and supporters on Sunday afternoon, in keeping with two individuals who obtained such communications. They spoke on the situation of anonymity to reveal the non-public conversations.Video beneath: Political pundits mentioned the DeSantis marketing campaign forward of the announcement that the marketing campaign was being suspendedDeSantis had returned to Florida by then after a roller-coaster weekend that included stops in South Carolina forward of an occasion in New Hampshire Sunday night that was finally canceled. The marketing campaign additionally canceled a collection of nationwide tv appearances earlier within the day, blaming the cancelation on a miscommunication with DeSantis’ tremendous PAC.DeSantis was bodily worn after spending weeks on the marketing campaign with little, if any, break day, at the same time as he stormed throughout frigid Iowa and New Hampshire, usually and not using a winter coat.A bitter rivalry involves a meek endHe finally determined that he wanted to endorse Trump given his reputation within the celebration regardless of the deeply private feud between them.“Whereas I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, corresponding to on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the present incumbent, Joe Biden. That’s clear,” stated DeSantis, who’s in his second and ultimate time period as Florida’s governor, which ends in January 2027. The endorsement was a surprising tail-between-his-legs second for DeSantis, whom Trump has mercilessly and relentlessly taunted in deeply private phrases for the higher a part of a yr now.For Trump, whose crew consists of many former DeSantis staffers, the assaults have usually felt extra like sport than political technique. Trump and his aides have blasted the governor as disloyal for working within the first place, mocked his consuming habits and his persona and accused him of sporting excessive heels to spice up his top.DeSantis’ crew joined Trump in attacking Haley as information of his departure rippled throughout the political panorama. Some doubt Haley, who was seen as splitting Republican votes and stopping a head-to-head match up between Trump, would profit from DeSantis’ resolution.“She is not going to be the nominee,” key DeSantis supporter Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, informed AP. “She is not going to be the president of the US.”Video beneath: Hear Ron DeSantis’ full remarks as he introduced he’s suspending his campaignTrump had already shifted his focus to Haley in current weeks, however minutes after DeSantis’ announcement, the previous president’s marketing campaign launched a brand new memo highlighting the strain on Haley to win New Hampshire.“Now that we’re a mere 48 hours from the first, the tone has shifted mightily. We see it, you see it, however make no mistake, if Nikki Haley loses in New Hampshire — there are solely two choices,” wrote senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles.“Choice A: Nikki Haley drops out, unites behind President Trump, and commits to defeating Joe Biden,” they wrote. “Choice B: Nikki Haley prepares to be completely DEMOLISHED and EMBARASSED in her house state of South Carolina,” which votes on Feb. 24.“Now, for some essential recommendation,” they continued. “Select properly.”Trump himself addressed DeSantis’ departure shortly after it was introduced throughout a cease at Manchester marketing campaign headquarters, in keeping with a video shared by his employees.“We simply acquired some phrase that one in every of our opponents, very succesful individual, is dropping out of the race — Ron DeSantis. And Ron is dropping out and, in doing so, he endorsed us,” Trump stated to cheers, earlier than a “Trump!” chant broke out within the room of volunteers.Requested if he could be utilizing the nickname “Ron DeSanctimonious”: “I stated that identify is formally retired,” he stated to loud cheers.At roughly the identical time not far-off, DeSantis’ dejected supporters gathered privately within the Manchester restaurant the place he had been scheduled to talk.Rep. James Spillane, of Deerfield, stated he had initially backed Trump, switched to DeSantis and can now vote for Trump.“I had a suspicion this morning, and I had talked to some mates of mine saying the best way I used to be listening to issues shake out, I assumed this was going to occur, and I used to be proper,” he stated. “Sadly, DeSantis shouldn’t be going to have the ability to make it ahead. Nevertheless, sooner or later, hopefully we are able to have a viable means ahead in 2028.”___Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington; Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Value in Manchester, New Hampshire; and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his Republican presidential marketing campaign on Sunday, ending his 2024 White Home bid simply earlier than the New Hampshire major whereas endorsing his bitter rival Donald Trump.
The choice leaves Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley because the final main candidates remaining within the race forward of Tuesday’s New Hampshire major. That is the situation Trump’s foes within the GOP have lengthy sought, elevating the stakes for this week’s contest because the celebration’s final likelihood to cease the previous president who has to date dominated the race.
However as some Trump critics cheered, DeSantis nodded towards Trump’s major dominance — and attacked Haley — in an exit video he posted on social media.
“It’s clear to me {that a} majority of Republican major voters need to give Donald Trump one other likelihood,” he stated in a video posted on X, previously generally known as Twitter.
He continued: “I signed a pledge to assist the Republican nominee and I’ll honor that pledge. He has my endorsement as a result of we are able to’t return to the previous Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged type of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”
Haley spoke at a campaigning cease in Seabrook, New Hampshire, simply as DeSantis introduced his resolution.
“He ran an incredible race, he’s been an excellent governor, and we want him properly,” she informed a room filled with supporters and media. “Having stated that, it’s now one fella and one girl left.“
DeSantis’ resolution, whereas maybe not shocking given his 30-point blowout loss final week in Iowa, marks the top of a unprecedented decline for a high-profile governor as soon as considered a legit risk to Trump’s supremacy within the Republican Get together. After months of contentious exchanges, Trump struck a extra conciliatory tone late Sunday throughout a rally in Rochester, New Hampshire, calling DeSantis a “actually terrific individual.”
“I additionally stay up for working with Ron” to win the final election, Trump stated.
His report wasn’t sufficient to beat Trump
DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential contest with main benefits in his quest to tackle Trump, and early major polls instructed DeSantis was in a robust place to do exactly that. He and his allies amassed a political fortune properly in extra of $130 million, and he boasted a major legislative report on points essential to many conservatives, like abortion and the educating of race and gender points in faculties.
Such benefits didn’t survive the truth of presidential politics in 2024. From a high-profile announcement that was affected by technical glitches to fixed upheavals to his employees and marketing campaign technique, DeSantis struggled to seek out his footing within the major. He misplaced the Iowa caucuses — which he had vowed to win — by 30 proportion factors to Trump.
His departure was days within the making
DeSantis’ allies stated that non-public discussions started shortly after Iowa to determine the best way to bow out of the race gracefully.
The Florida governor notified prime donors and supporters of his resolution by way of a collection of telephone conversations and textual content messages between senior marketing campaign officers to prime donors and supporters on Sunday afternoon, in keeping with two individuals who obtained such communications. They spoke on the situation of anonymity to reveal the non-public conversations.
Video beneath: Political pundits mentioned the DeSantis marketing campaign forward of the announcement that the marketing campaign was being suspended
DeSantis had returned to Florida by then after a roller-coaster weekend that included stops in South Carolina forward of an occasion in New Hampshire Sunday night that was finally canceled. The marketing campaign additionally canceled a collection of nationwide tv appearances earlier within the day, blaming the cancelation on a miscommunication with DeSantis’ tremendous PAC.
DeSantis was bodily worn after spending weeks on the marketing campaign with little, if any, break day, at the same time as he stormed throughout frigid Iowa and New Hampshire, usually and not using a winter coat.
A bitter rivalry involves a meek finish
He finally determined that he wanted to endorse Trump given his reputation within the celebration regardless of the deeply private feud between them.
“Whereas I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, corresponding to on the coronavirus pandemic and his elevation of Anthony Fauci, Trump is superior to the present incumbent, Joe Biden. That’s clear,” stated DeSantis, who’s in his second and ultimate time period as Florida’s governor, which ends in January 2027.
The endorsement was a surprising tail-between-his-legs second for DeSantis, whom Trump has mercilessly and relentlessly taunted in deeply private phrases for the higher a part of a yr now.
For Trump, whose crew consists of many former DeSantis staffers, the assaults have usually felt extra like sport than political technique. Trump and his aides have blasted the governor as disloyal for working within the first place, mocked his consuming habits and his persona and accused him of sporting excessive heels to spice up his top.
DeSantis’ crew joined Trump in attacking Haley as information of his departure rippled throughout the political panorama. Some doubt Haley, who was seen as splitting Republican votes and stopping a head-to-head match up between Trump, would profit from DeSantis’ resolution.
“She is not going to be the nominee,” key DeSantis supporter Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, informed AP. “She is not going to be the president of the US.”
Video beneath: Hear Ron DeSantis’ full remarks as he introduced he’s suspending his marketing campaign
Trump had already shifted his focus to Haley in current weeks, however minutes after DeSantis’ announcement, the previous president’s marketing campaign launched a brand new memo highlighting the strain on Haley to win New Hampshire.
“Now that we’re a mere 48 hours from the first, the tone has shifted mightily. We see it, you see it, however make no mistake, if Nikki Haley loses in New Hampshire — there are solely two choices,” wrote senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles.
“Choice A: Nikki Haley drops out, unites behind President Trump, and commits to defeating Joe Biden,” they wrote. “Choice B: Nikki Haley prepares to be completely DEMOLISHED and EMBARASSED in her house state of South Carolina,” which votes on Feb. 24.
“Now, for some essential recommendation,” they continued. “Select properly.”
Trump himself addressed DeSantis’ departure shortly after it was introduced throughout a cease at Manchester marketing campaign headquarters, in keeping with a video shared by his employees.
“We simply acquired some phrase that one in every of our opponents, very succesful individual, is dropping out of the race — Ron DeSantis. And Ron is dropping out and, in doing so, he endorsed us,” Trump stated to cheers, earlier than a “Trump!” chant broke out within the room of volunteers.
Requested if he could be utilizing the nickname “Ron DeSanctimonious”: “I stated that identify is formally retired,” he stated to loud cheers.
At roughly the identical time not far-off, DeSantis’ dejected supporters gathered privately within the Manchester restaurant the place he had been scheduled to talk.
Rep. James Spillane, of Deerfield, stated he had initially backed Trump, switched to DeSantis and can now vote for Trump.
“I had a suspicion this morning, and I had talked to some mates of mine saying the best way I used to be listening to issues shake out, I assumed this was going to occur, and I used to be proper,” he stated. “Sadly, DeSantis shouldn’t be going to have the ability to make it ahead. Nevertheless, sooner or later, hopefully we are able to have a viable means ahead in 2028.”
___
Related Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington; Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Value in Manchester, New Hampshire; and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
