MANCHESTER, New Hampshire – Firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz called for Republican unity while lamenting the feud between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2024 cycle.
Speaking to a crowd of Trump supporters at his New Hampshire campaign headquarters, Gaetz (R-Fla.) lamented the dispute between the duo when an aide asked him if the party can achieve unity after a bruising primary season.
“I think that’s the question. I’m glad you were the first. It is the operational issue because we cannot win if we are divided,” Gaetz responded during an open house for the press.
“We already have the big media against us, the big tech, the big governments, many of the big donors and big companies,” he continued. “If we unite, there will be even more of us.”
His comments came before DeSantis withdrew and endorsed Trump on Sunday.
Gaetz quickly endorsed Trump over his home state governor in the 2024 Republican battle for the party’s nod.
Trump and DeSantis clashed bitterly during the election campaign, and the 45th president launched a series of negative criticisms of the governor.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz called for unity between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. @kleavittnh/Twitter Gaetz’s comments came shortly before DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images
Recently, Trump has begun to focus his attacks and arrows on his former US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley.
Initially, DeSantis had insisted he would remain in the race until the South Carolina primary on February 24.
“I remember the old days when I was Ron DeSantis’ transition president and he and President Trump worked very well together,” Gatez, a top Trump surrogate, told supporters.
“I hate it when mom and dad fight.”
Gaetz compared the primary race between DeSantis and Trump to fighting parents. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY DeSantis endorsed Trump after suspending his campaign. AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Gaetz used the open house to urge Trump supporters to stay focused on New Hampshire.
“They will try to take out the Democrats and Bernie Sanders could vote in the New Hampshire primary for Nikki Haley. I bet he probably would,” she joked.
Trump is ahead in the Granite State with 50.3%, followed by Haley with 34%, according to the latest aggregate from RealClearPolitics.
The New Hampshire contest will be held next Tuesday.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn