He has received yet another endorsement.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, made headlines on Friday night by endorsing Donald Trump at a rally in New Hampshire. This move is significant as Scott chose to support Trump over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley. Scott declared his endorsement, stating, “I came to the very warm state of New Hampshire to endorse the next president of these United States — President Donald Trump.” This aligns with a trend where several former Republican presidential rivals, including Vivek Ramaswamy and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, have thrown their support behind Trump.
Scott’s endorsement carries weight, especially with South Carolina’s primary approaching on Feb. 24. Notably, he chose to endorse Trump over Haley, who appointed him to his Senate seat in 2012 during her tenure as the governor of South Carolina. Haley responded to Scott’s decision, pointing out the irony of Trump aligning with Washington insiders despite his pledge to “drain the swamp.”
The decision for Scott to back Trump was finalized on Friday morning after discussions with the former president and Haley earlier in the week. Trump and Haley approached Scott seeking an endorsement, and it’s interesting to note that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had not explicitly sought Scott’s endorsement since December. Talks are ongoing about the possibility of Scott joining Trump in additional events on Sunday or Monday.
Trump has also garnered support from other influential figures in South Carolina, including Senator Lindsey Graham, Governor Henry McMaster, and three of the state’s Republican members of the U.S. House. With Scott’s endorsement, Trump now officially has the backing of 26 out of 49 Senate Republicans. This development comes just four days before the New Hampshire primary, where Trump aims to build on his significant victory in the Iowa caucuses. Scott, a former presidential candidate who withdrew in November, is now being considered as a potential running mate for Trump should he secure the Republican nomination.
