Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the suspension of his 2024 presidential campaign bid in a video released by his campaign. In the video, DeSantis explains his decision, citing a lack of a clear path to victory and the desire of a majority of Republican primary voters to give former President Donald Trump another chance. DeSantis, who had initially gained significant attention as a potential rival to Trump, struggled to gain traction in the race. After surviving just one primary contest in Iowa, where he failed to win a single county, DeSantis decided to drop out of the race before the New Hampshire primary. The timing of the announcement, just two days before the primary, has raised questions about the reasoning behind the decision.
DeSantis acknowledged in the video that his campaign had faced challenges, including a decline in funding and poor poll numbers. Recent polls showed that DeSantis received only 6% support in New Hampshire, and he had not been actively advertising in the state since November. The combination of these factors led DeSantis and his campaign team to realize that continuing the campaign would not lead to a favorable outcome. He expressed gratitude for the passionate supporters who stood by him and acknowledged the hard work of his campaign staff and volunteers.
While DeSantis had previously voiced disagreements with Trump on issues such as the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the elevation of Anthony Fauci, he ultimately decided to endorse Trump as the Republican nominee. DeSantis signed a pledge to support the nominee, and he expressed his belief that Trump is superior to current President Joe Biden. In endorsing Trump, DeSantis criticized the 'old Republican guard' and called for a change in the party, emphasizing the need to prioritize the interests of Americans over corporations and to reject 'woke ideology.'
Following his decision to suspend his campaign, DeSantis pledged to continue his
