Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “Nikki Haley can never win in the General Election because she doesn’t have MAGA, and never will! Ron DeSanctimonious, at least, is MAGA-Lite. Remember, I think MAGA is almost ALL of the Republican Party. The days of the RINOS and non-AMERICA FIRST candidates are OVER! Nikki is a Globalist RINO, backed by American’s for Chinese Growth, the Charles Koch con job. It’s not going to happen for her, or DeSanctimonious! Vivek Votes are wasted, should come to “TRUMP.” MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
With just one day remaining before the Iowa Caucus, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday endorsed Donald Trump over former ambassador and governor of his own state, Nikki Haley, in the Republican primary.
Just before the crucial Iowa vote, Rubio—who opposed Trump in the bitter 2016 Republican primary—endorsed Trump. DeSantis will undoubtedly perceive this as a purposeful snub of Rubio.
Rubio asserted that supporting Trump is “the ONLY way we will get the extraordinary actions needed to fix the disaster Biden has created” in a social media statement.
He also said that doing is necessary to “save” America.
Aside from an intent to snub DeSantis, it’s not immediately clear why Rubio chose to endorse Trump now rather than waiting a day for the caucus vote, but political observers have made observations about it.
DeSantis was on ABC’s This Week on Sunday and said that Trump has created a party where kissing his ring and vocally supporting him is the only way to be in “good standing” and if you’re a conservative getting the job done who does not kiss Trump’s ring, then “somehow” you’re “bad” or “a RINO.”
Rubio has supported Trump just a short time later and presumably is considered “in good standing” by Trump. Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy continues to vocally support Trump even while running against him, despite Trump on Saturday designating him bad and “not MAGA,” too.
When Trump was in WH I achieved major policies I had worked on for years (like expanded Child Tax Credit & tough sanctions on regime in Cuba & Venezuela) because we had a President who didn’t cave to special interests or let bureaucrats block us.
I support Trump because that…
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 14, 2024
Fundamental difference between DC politicians endorsing Trump & state-level politicians endorsing DeSantis or Haley is that the former have internalized the idea that Biden getting re-elected is good for business, so no downside in helping him win.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) January 14, 2024
