Any bad blood stemming from the 2016 presidential primary race has apparently been resolved between U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and former President Donald Trump.
In a social media statement just one day before Monday’s Iowa caucuses, Rubio offered his endorsement of Trump, bringing the tally of sitting senators who are supporting the 2024 front-runner to just under two dozen.
“It’s time to get on with the work of beating [President Joe] Biden & saving America!” the Florida Republican wrote.
His statement recalled the highlights of Trump’s term in the White House as a reason to grant the former president another four years.
“When Trump was in WH I achieved major policies I had worked on for years (like expanded Child Tax Credit & tough sanctions on regime in Cuba & Venezuela) because we had a President who didn’t cave to special interests or let bureaucrats block us,” Rubio added. “I support Trump because that kind of leadership is the ONLY way we will get the extraordinary actions needed to fix the disaster Biden has created.”
The endorsement could be seen as another nail in the coffin of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential ambitions. After Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) announced his support for Trump last year, the former president now has the backing of both of the state’s senators.
Of course, Rubio is not the only former Trump rival who has come out in support of his 2024 bid. In fact, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgham, who had been a candidate in the ongoing primary race, announced his endorsement on the same day.
America needs a 180 degree change in direction from where Joe Biden
has taken us! Donald J. Trump will make America great again! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/apjUIm6y0r— Doug Burgum (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) January 14, 2024
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who has also been a Trump critic in recent years, nevertheless offered his endorsement on Sunday, describing the former president as the best choice available.
“Whether you like Trump or not, America faces a binary choice,” he wrote in a social media post. “Biden refuses to enforce our border, prosecutes his opponents, & embraces policies that make life unaffordable for hardworking Americans. I choose Trump.”
Lee’s statement echoed his remarks just days earlier during a Fox News Channel interview.
“Look, whether you like Donald Trump or not, whether you agree with everything he says or not, he is our one opportunity to choose order over chaos and putting America first over America last,” he said on Friday.
