Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential race just days before the crucial New Hampshire primary.
Despite once being considered a strong contender, DeSantis cited a lack of a "clear path to victory" as the primary reason for his withdrawal. The governor, who had positioned himself as a candidate capable of delivering Donald Trump's populist agenda without the associated drama, announced his decision in a nearly five-minute video on X (formerly Twitter).
Endorses Trump
Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, DeSantis threw his support behind former President Donald Trump, acknowledging the clear frontrunner status that Trump has secured after winning the first contest in Iowa with a commanding 51% of the vote. DeSantis highlighted that a majority of Republican voters "want to give Donald Trump another chance" and, in doing so, endorsed the former president despite their acknowledged "disagreements."
Trump responds
During a rally in New Hampshire, Donald Trump responded to DeSantis's withdrawal and endorsement, expressing gratitude for the governor's support. T
rump, who had previously criticised DeSantis, described him as a "really terrific person" and commended his campaign efforts, acknowledging that running a good campaign is not an easy feat.
Donald's last challenger
With DeSantis out of the race, Nikki Haley remains as the last significant challenger to Trump. In a head-to-head battle in New Hampshire on Tuesday, Haley emphasised that she is the "only one" capable of defeating President Joe Biden in the general election.
However, DeSantis took a swipe at Haley, labeling her as a member of the "old Republican guard of yesteryear" and criticizing her as a "repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism."
DeSantis criticises Haley
Following DeSantis's withdrawal, the Trump campaign called on all Republicans to rally behind Trump, characterizing Haley as "the candidate of the globalists and Democrats" who aims to thwart the "America First movement."
DeSantis further criticised Haley, referring to her as a representative of the "old Republican guard" and distancing himself from her approach.
DeSantis's sudden exit from the race has left many questioning the dynamics of the campaign. Despite his initial strong position in early polls, the governor faced numerous challenges, including technical glitches during campaign announcements and constant staff and strategy upheavals. Observers note that DeSantis's departure might not significantly alter the overall campaign dynamics, given the dwindling support he experienced in recent weeks.
Trump vs Haley
As the campaign intensifies, Trump maintains a double-digit lead over Haley in New Hampshire, according to polls. The Trump campaign aims for a second consecutive win in the state, hoping to solidify his eventual nomination.
Meanwhile, Haley faces an uphill battle to secure victory and stay relevant in the race, with South Carolina's primary looming large on the horizon. A loss in her home state could spell the end of Haley's presidential ambitions.
With time running short, Nikki Haley has sharpened her attacks on Trump, holding him responsible for Republican electoral losses in 2020 and 2022. She has also criticized Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders, presenting herself as a conservative alternative. Haley emphasized that the United States is "not a country of coronations," challenging the notion of inevitability surrounding Trump's nomination.
