Donald Trump addressing supporters at rally in Rochester, NH – WMUR Manchester
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Former President Donald Trump gained at least one more supporter Sunday when former rival Ron DeSantis dropped out and endorsed him ahead of Trump’s rally in Rochester on Sunday night.
The Trump campaign released a statement calling DeSantis’ endorsement a great honor.
“With only a few days left until President Donald J. Trump’s victory in New Hampshire, we are honored by the endorsement from Governor Ron DeSantis and so many other former presidential candidates. It is now time for all Republicans to rally behind President Trump to defeat Crooked Joe Biden and end his disastrous presidency.
“Nikki Haley is the candidate of the globalists and Democrats who will do everything to stop the America First movement. From higher taxes, to decimating Social Security and Medicare, and to open borders, she represents the views of Democrats more than the views of Republicans.
“It’s time to choose wisely.”
>> Everything you need to know about the 2024 New Hampshire primary
The latest poll from the University of New Hampshire-CNN shows that will only help the former president, with more than 60 percent of DeSantis voters saying Trump was their second choice.
Trump spoke with supporters at his New Hampshire campaign headquarters earlier Sunday.
“We had the big day in Iowa, and we’re going to have a big day in New Hampshire. “We just got some word that one of our opponents, (a) very capable person, is dropping out. His name is Ron DeSantis and Ron is dropping out. And he, in doing so, he endorsed us.”
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Trump’s only major Republican challenger is now former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and he has been ramping up his attacks against her, even bringing out many lawmakers from her state to attend Saturday’s rally in Manchester to show their support for him.
Trump’s event Sunday began at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Opera House.
Doors opened just after 4 p.m. Some Trump supporters had been standing outside the venue since 6 a.m. Sunday to wait for the rally to begin.
>> See WMUR’s report from outside the venue:
Some of the top issues for the former president’s supporters include the border and the cost of everything from groceries to gas.
The people outside the event told WMUR they are disappointed with the direction of the economy and want to see change in the White House.
One supporter also offered his opinion of DeSantis dropping out and endorsing Trump.
“I think DeSantis is trying to try to do some serious damage control and maybe a little too late. You know, (he) should’ve done this a while ago. He never should have challenged him. I mean, come on. I mean, Trump is like Godzilla, and the rest of the candidates are like Tokyo,” Edward Young, of Manchester, said.
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