Exclusive: Senate Minority Leader John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, is supporting former President Donald Trump’s reelection bid.
For establishment Republicans, this is an important victory for Trump. The South Dakota Republican is Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s top deputy.
“South Carolina’s preliminary results make it clear that Donald Trump will be the Republican presidential nominee in this year’s pivotal presidential election. The choice before the American people is crystal clear: Donald Trump? Joe Biden,” Thune told FOX News Digital.
Trump wins South Carolina by 20 points, moving closer to securing Republican presidential nomination
Senate Republican Leader John Thune announced Sunday that he will support former President Trump in 2024. (Getty Images)
“I support former President Trump’s presidential campaign and am committed to working with him to win a Republican majority in the Senate to restore America’s strength at home and abroad.” He continued.
“Together, we must put an end to the disastrous policies of Biden and Schumer. We cannot stand being weakened.”
Thune and Trump spoke by phone Saturday night after Trump won the Republican primary in South Carolina, a person familiar with the call told Fox News Digital.
It was not previously clear whether Thune, who is seen as a possible successor to McConnell as leader of the Senate Republican Conference, would support either of the two leading candidates for the 2024 Republican nomination.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to be involved in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. (Getty Images)
Like Mr. McConnell, Mr. Thune has largely avoided mentioning the former president, although he has suggested he supports whoever Republican voters choose for president.
He previously supported South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott’s presidential campaign and attended Scott’s launch event. Scott resigned in November and endorsed Trump last month.
Sunday’s announcement puts further pressure on Mr. McConnell, who has fended off criticism that his tepid relationship with Mr. Trump would prevent him from endorsing the former president in the Republican primary.
Asked about the race at a press conference earlier this month, McConnell said: “Basically I’m not in the race. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley lost to Trump in her home state’s primary. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Thune and McConnell were targeted by President Trump for criticizing his handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the 2020 election.
Thune won re-election in a landslide for a fourth Senate term in 2022, despite President Trump calling for a primary opponent against him.
His endorsement of the former president comes after Trump defeated former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in a local state primary on Saturday night. The former president received about 60% of the vote, compared to 40% for Haley.
