Special Poll
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently expressed criticism towards former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for her decision not to endorse Donald Trump following her withdrawal from the Republican primary race. This critique came in light of the GOP’s commitment to unity and support among its candidates.
During an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Balance” with Eric Bolling, DeSantis highlighted the importance of the loyalty pledge both he and Haley had signed, which promised support for the eventual Republican nominee. “We both agreed not to withdraw our support, and while I’ve stayed true to that pledge, Nikki Haley now faces a choice regarding her commitment,” DeSantis commented.
DeSantis emphasized the significance of keeping one’s word, stating, “When I commit to something, I follow through. Circumstances haven’t changed since the pledge; we knew what we were signing up for.”
The Republican National Committee (RNC) had mandated a loyalty pledge for candidates wishing to participate in the debates, an agreement to endorse whoever becomes the GOP’s nominee. Despite Trump’s decision to skip the debates, citing his lead in the polls and not signing the pledge, several of Trump’s former competitors, including DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, have since endorsed him.
Conversely, Chris Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey and a vocal critic of Trump, has declared he will not support Trump “under any circumstances” after ending his campaign before the Iowa caucuses.
In her announcement to suspend her campaign, Haley remarked that it was Trump’s responsibility to “earn” the support of her followers and others who didn’t initially back him. “Donald Trump now has the opportunity to win over those within our party and beyond who weren’t his supporters. I hope he succeeds in doing so,” Haley stated. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity in politics, urging the conservative movement to attract more supporters and noting, “This is now his moment to decide.”