Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, both significant figures in the 2024 presidential primary, delivered impactful speeches at the Republican National Convention (RNC). Their addresses underscored the party’s unity as they rallied behind the nominee, former President Donald J. Trump, in preparation for the November general election.
Haley’s Powerful Endorsement
Initially greeted with mixed reactions, Nikki Haley’s speech quickly turned the tide with her emphatic endorsement of President Trump. “I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear. President Trump has my strong endorsement, period,” she declared on July 16. She expressed gratitude to Trump for inviting her to speak and emphasized the importance of supporting the party’s nominee.
“You don’t have to agree with Trump 100 percent of the time to vote for him,” Haley argued, highlighting Trump’s strengths compared to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
DeSantis’s Call to Action
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also received enthusiastic applause as he took the stage. “We cannot let him [former President Trump] down, and we cannot let America down,” DeSantis urged. He called on Republicans to unite and support candidates across the ballot, echoing Trump’s call to “fight, fight, fight for these United States.”
Context and Developments
Haley’s show of support followed her decision to release her delegates to Trump, despite speculation that she might sit out the RNC after an attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump was officially nominated on July 15, the convention’s first day, and named Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate.
Despite losing the Iowa caucus to Trump, DeSantis remained a key figure, withdrawing only shortly before the New Hampshire primary and endorsing Trump. DeSantis had previously criticized Haley, labeling her “the candidate of the globalists and Democrats.”
Haley, who served as Trump’s United Nations ambassador, suspended her campaign after Super Tuesday. Her campaign saw support from conservative groups often critical of Trump, including Americans for Prosperity, funded by the Koch family.
In a bid to foster inclusivity within the party, Haley urged for a “bigger tent” approach, highlighting the party’s strength in diversity. The RNC also featured notable speakers like Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), both former 2016 primary opponents of Trump.
Iowa’s Attorney General Brenna Bird, who endorsed Trump in 2023, also spoke, emphasizing the RNC’s “Make America Safe Again” theme.
Original Story by Nathan Worcester, The Epoch Times
Source: Point Report
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