From campaign stops in South Carolina to the Conservative Political Action Conference, some of Donald Trump’s leading candidates to be his 2024 running mate are increasingly praising the former president.
On the eve of the presidential election, Sen. Tim Scott stood next to President Trump at a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and said, “Let’s send a message to the nation from South Carolina: The Republican primary is over, and Donald Trump… is our candidate,” he said. Republican presidential primary in your home state.
Mr. Scott, an uplifting conservative champion who ended his White House bid in November and endorsed Mr. Trump last month, has announced several events this month, including Mr. Trump’s first night celebration on Saturday night. He also joined the former president on the campaign trail in South Carolina.
“Is South Carolina Trump country?” Scott asked, to cheers from the crowd at an event in Columbia.
Trump wins South Carolina by 20 points, moving closer to securing Republican presidential nomination
Republican presidential candidate listens to a speech by Sen. Tim Scott, R.S., during the primary election night party at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. Former President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Andrew Halnik) (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Mr. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is one of more than half a dozen leading candidates who have been eager to join Mr. Trump in the national district and have criticized the former president.
Among them is Vivek Ramaswamy, another former rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
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Speaking at CPAC on Saturday, the billionaire biotech entrepreneur, author and political commentator said, “I would like to thank allied groups that supported me during the campaign by dedicating their resources to Donald Trump. We urge the public to use this money to support J. Trump’s re-election bid.” And I want every other Republican candidate running for president to do the same. ”
Ramaswamy has also made several stops in South Carolina in recent weeks to campaign with or on behalf of Trump.
Florida Rep. Byron Donald, a longtime Trump supporter, joined the former president Friday at the Black Conservative Foundation Gala in Columbia, South Carolina.
“We have a real opportunity that rarely comes in politics to elect a real leader to the White House, and that leader will soon be our 45th president. “I am the 47th president of the United States. Donald J. Trump,” Donald told the crowd.
A day earlier, Donald endorsed a similar message at CPAC. CPAC is the granddaddy of conservative gatherings that have become Trump festivals since former President Trump first won the White House in 2016.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, another longtime Trump supporter and surrogate, was clearly critical of 2024 presidential candidates Scott and Ramaswamy, saying to cheers at CPAC on Friday, “The next president… I’ve always supported the fact that he should be president.” Mr. Trump. ”
“I was one of the first people to support Donald Trump for president,” Noem added. “Last year, when people asked me if I would consider running, I said no. Why run for president when you know you can’t win?”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC 2024 at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Friday, February 23, 2024. (AP Photo/(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 4 House Republican and another top Trump supporter, told the audience at CPAC that she was “proud to be the first member of Congress to support President Trump’s reelection.” I think so,” he said.
Former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate who later became an independent and a popular figure among conservatives, also praised Trump at CPAC.
“I’ve met a lot of strong, tough people in my life, but not one of them could not only withstand everything that Donald Trump throws at them without crumbling, but would actually choose to keep fighting. “I can’t think of ‘the entire establishment in Washington,'” she stressed.
This weekend’s CPAC Trump Vice Presidential Candidate Straw Poll had Noem and Ramaswamy tied for first place with a 15% lead.
Trump defeated his last remaining major rival, former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, by 20 points Saturday in his home state’s presidential primary, pushing him closer to clinching the Republican nomination. We took a big step.
At a Fox News town hall in South Carolina last week, he suggested at least six candidates were on his short list for vice president, including three former rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
During a segment on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Trump was asked about Scott, Ramaswamy, Noem, Donald, Gabbard and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“Are they all on your shortlist?” host Laura Ingraham asked the former president.
“Yes,” Trump replied. “Honestly, they’re all good people. They’re all good people, they’re all solid.”
When Scott arrived at the convention center in Greenville, South Carolina, where the town hall was to be held, he received a warm welcome from a large crowd of mostly Trump supporters.
“A lot of people are talking about that gentleman over there,” Trump said, pointing to Scott, who was sitting in the front row of the audience.
Asked Thursday about Trump’s praise, Scott said Trump “certainly spoke very generous and kind words to me. But more important than who his running mate is, I think he’s the next It’s about making sure he’s the president,” he told Fox News Digital.
Asked about the possibility of serving as President Trump’s running mate, Ramaswamy also demurred.
“Donald Trump has to win this election, and that’s my sole focus and making sure we win,” he told reporters while in South Carolina last week. . “And I’m going to do everything I can to make his presidency as successful as possible.”
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While potential vice presidential candidates have been shying away, veteran Republican strategist David Kochel told Fox News that campaign appearances are “of course a screen test. CPAC will also play that role this weekend.” I think he will fulfill his role.Obviously, his relationship with the president is significant.” Everyone at MAGA. ”
“Trump likes to talk about people he hires from central casting, so using the word audition is appropriate,” added Kochel, a veteran of numerous Republican presidential campaigns.
“Obviously they’re auditioning,” agreed Alex Castellanos, another longtime Republican consultant who has worked on multiple White House campaigns.
Castellanos pointed to Scott and Ramaswamy’s failures in the presidential race, saying, “In a sense, they have to. They’ve already failed the sense test to occupy the White House.” he said.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
