Former President Donald Trump and a number of conservatives praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Sunday after he announced that he was suspending his campaign for president and endorsing the former president.
Polling experts noted that the race permanently shifted in early 2023 when the former president was indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as a large number of Republicans rallied around the former president, giving him a significant lead over DeSantis, who maintained his second place position after entering the race, and others.
In bowing out, DeSantis said that Trump was superior to President Joe Biden and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who he said represented “a repackaged form of warmed over corporatism.”
Speaking to supporters in New Hampshire on Sunday night, Trump said, “Before we begin, I’d like to take time to congratulate Ron DeSantis and, of course, a really terrific person who I’ve gotten to know, his wife Casey, for having run a great campaign for president.”
“He did. He ran a really good campaign. I will tell you, it’s not easy,” he continued. “They think it’s easy doing this stuff, right? It’s not easy. But as you know, he left the campaign trail today at 3pm. And in so doing, he was very gracious and he endorsed me, so I appreciate it. I appreciate that. And I also look forward to working with Ron and everybody else to defeat crooked Joe Biden, we will have to get him out. He’s put our country at great peril, at great peril. So I just want to thank Ron and congratulate him on doing a very good job. It’s a tough situation. It’s a tough thing to do.”
Trump said separately that he would no longer mock DeSantis’ name by calling him “DeSanctimonious.”
“That name is officially retired! – President @realDonaldTrump says of DeSanctimonious pic.twitter.com/Nrzx2JxSmA
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) January 21, 2024
DeSantis’ decision to bow out and endorse Trump was widely praised on the political Right, including among Trump supporters. Only a very small group of highly fringe figures on the far-right were not accepting of DeSantis’ endorsement and continued to attack the governor.
“Happy to see @RonDeSantis endorse my father and call to unite the entire GOP around him to defeat RINO Nikki Haley and ultimately, Crooked Joe Biden,” said Donald Trump Jr. “We need the entire America First movement working together as a team to defeat the radical left in November!!!”
Happy to see @RonDeSantis endorse my father and call to unite the entire GOP around him to defeat RINO Nikki Haley and ultimately, Crooked Joe Biden. We need the entire America First movement working together as a team to defeat the radical left in November!!!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 21, 2024
Conservative actor James Woods said, “This is by no means the end of this great patriot on the national stage. His speech here is honest, straightforward, and to the point. Republicans MUST unite to sweep the Biden catastrophe from the White House and send the woke grifters of the left back to their rat’s nests.”
“A great leader and a class act,” said Megyn Kelly. “Hope he finds a way to try again in 2028.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said: “Welcome Home, Ron! It’s great to have America’s Governor back onside.”
Other notable posts included:
Governor DeSantis just joined Team Trump! Let's end this and focus on the Democrats and the dumpster fire they've created in our great nation. #MAGA https://t.co/7v8gwaHrbn
— Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) January 21, 2024
I am as proud as anything I have done in politics to have stood with this patriot & his wonderful team. Thank you to all who supported a cause greater than any one individual. This is just the beginning. We will restore freedom & American prosperity again. #DeSantis https://t.co/YkLRt5GjB7
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 21, 2024
America has missed its best chance to return to greatness.
Thank you Ron Desantis for stepping up and giving it your all ! https://t.co/MjnJtGoHPM
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) January 21, 2024
DeSantis is the best governor in America and more effective at advancing conservative policies than any Republican official alive today. Dropping out now and coalescing behind Trump against Haley and the Left (but I repeat myself) is the right move. No, he didn’t run a perfect… https://t.co/yHAfoAKSbS
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 21, 2024
In this case, America’s loss is Florida’s gain. 🐊💪🇺🇸 https://t.co/MEiD8in8Es
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) January 21, 2024
Thank you, Governor. Classy, patriotic move. Republicans, let’s unite around @realDonaldTrump and bring this country back! To all my friends who supported DeSantis, I’m sure this is a tough day, but tomorrow let’s work together again to defeat the corrupt left. #MAGA2024! https://t.co/xCGM6Ppe2B
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) January 21, 2024
God bless Ron DeSantis and his family. He has served his country in uniform and as a conservative leader, and he has a great future ahead of him.
The Republican voters have spoken and spoken clearly, and I’m proud to have supported him.
I join his endorsement of President… https://t.co/NNQeTzmRL2
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) January 21, 2024
I was proud to support a close friend who I knew in my heart would make for a transformational President. While this was not his time, I know he will continue to show us tremendous leadership and be the best and most courageous Governor in America.
President Trump deserves a… https://t.co/Sxt54Aa1PL
— Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) January 21, 2024
I’ve been @realDonaldTrump supporter since he entered the 2024 race but salute RDS for a classy and timely exit and unifying endorsement of Trump. https://t.co/C5DxXfgJvU
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 21, 2024
Ron DeSantis is an effective Governor, military veteran, and patriot, but 2024 is the year Donald Trump becomes the GOP nominee and our next President.
United we stand…
It’s time to Make America Great Again. https://t.co/29ZJmvS676
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) January 21, 2024