Critics Mock Sen. Tim Scott’s Endorsement of Donald Trump at New Hampshire Rally
Endorsement and Crowd Reaction
On March 5, 2024, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) delivered a fiery endorsement of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. Scott’s endorsement was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, who responded with chants of “Donald Trump!”
Scott, a potential 2024 presidential candidate himself, is the first Black Republican senator from the South since Reconstruction. His endorsement of Trump is seen as a major boost to the former president’s campaign, which has been struggling to gain traction in recent months.
Media Reactions
Scott’s endorsement was met with mixed reactions from the media. Some praised Scott for his courage in endorsing Trump, while others criticized him for aligning himself with a divisive figure.
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez commented on Scott’s delivery, describing it as “quite the delivery” and a “major blow” to former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who appointed Scott to the Senate.
Elie Mystal, writer for The Nation, shared a GIF of Samuel L. Jackson’s character from “Django Unchained” and remarked that everyone saw the endorsement coming.
Criticism of Scott’s Words
Scott’s endorsement of Trump was also met with criticism from some fellow Republicans. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who has endorsed GOP candidate Nikki Haley, criticized Scott’s endorsement of Trump.
Sununu argued that Trump has not united the country and that Scott’s statement is unrealistic. “I think it’s a mistake,” Sununu said. “I think Donald Trump has proven that he’s not a uniter, he’s a divider.”
Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, criticized Scott for appearing to quote civil rights activist Fanie Lou Hammer without giving her proper credit. Leonard tweeted, “Tim Scott just stole Fanie Lou Hammer’s most famous line and didn’t even bother to credit her. What a sellout.”
Molly Jong-Fast, MSNBC guest and Vanity Fair correspondent, expressed embarrassment for Scott. “I’m embarrassed for Tim Scott,” Jong-Fast tweeted. “He’s a smart, talented man who has sold his soul to Donald Trump.”
Stephen Crockett Jr., HuffPost opinion editor, compared the video of Scott’s endorsement to a “WWE audition tape.” Crockett tweeted, “Tim Scott’s endorsement of Donald Trump was like a WWE audition tape. All he needed was a folding chair.”
Kim Masters, Hollywood Reporter writer, called Scott a “sellout.” Masters tweeted, “Tim Scott is a sellout. He has abandoned his principles and his party for a chance at power.”
Scott’s Stated Motivations
In his endorsement speech, Scott emphasized the need for a president who sees Americans as one American family, not divided by race. He stated that he believes Trump is the best candidate to unite the party and defeat President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
“We need a president who sees all Americans as part of one American family, not divided by race or ethnicity,” Scott said. “I believe Donald Trump is that president.”
Scott also praised Trump’s economic policies, saying that they have helped to create jobs and boost the economy.
“Under President Trump, we saw the lowest unemployment rate in American history,” Scott said. “We saw wages rising for working families. We saw businesses investing in our communities.”
Reactions from Fellow Republicans
Scott’s endorsement of Trump was met with mixed reactions from fellow Republicans. Some, like New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, criticized Scott’s endorsement. Others, like former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, praised Scott for his courage in endorsing Trump.
Huckabee, who is also a potential 2024 presidential candidate, said that Scott’s endorsement is a “game-changer.” Huckabee tweeted, “Tim Scott’s endorsement of Donald Trump is a game-changer. It shows that Trump is the only candidate who can unite the Republican Party and defeat Joe Biden.”
Ron DeSantis Drops Out and Endorses Trump
In a surprise move, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially dropped out of the race and announced his endorsement of former President Trump in a video message.
DeSantis, who was considered a frontrunner in the GOP primary, said that he decided to drop out of the race in order to focus on his re-election campaign in Florida. He also said that he believes Trump is the best candidate to defeat President Joe Biden.
“I believe that Donald Trump is the best candidate to lead our country and defeat Joe Biden in 2024,” DeSantis said. “He is a proven leader who has a track record of getting things done.”
Conclusion
Senator Tim Scott’s endorsement of Donald Trump at a rally in New Hampshire draws mixed reactions from the media and fellow Republicans. Scott’s delivery and choice of words are criticized, while his stated motivations for supporting Trump are questioned. The endorsement adds to the ongoing debate about unity and division within the Republican Party.
With DeSantis’s unexpected endorsement of Trump, the 2024 GOP primary race takes a dramatic turn. It remains to be seen whether Scott’s endorsement will have a significant impact on the race, but it is clear that the Republican Party is still deeply divided over the future of the party.