Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina endorsed former President Donald Trump over any other Republican presidential hopefuls.
Scott spoke at a Team Trump event in New Hampshire where he joked about the low temperatures and rallied the Concord audience.
“We need a president who will close our southern border today!” Scott told the crowd after joining the former president on stage. “We need Donald Trump!"
“We need a president who will unite our country. We need Donald Trump!” he continued. "We need a president who will protect your social security and my mama’s social security. We need Donald Trump!"
“We need a president today who will stop the crime and recklessness in the streets. We need Donald Trump!" he continued. "We need a president who will restore law and order."
“We need Donald Trump!” he yelled, joined by the crowd.
“We need a president who will lower and not raise our taxes!” Scott said.
“We need Donald Trump!” he said with the crowd.
Scott continued the call and responded, noting that “the American people are sick and tired of being sick and tired” and that Americans need “a president our foreign adversaries are afraid of and our allies respect.”
“We need a president who doesn’t see black or white,” the senator told the cheering crowd. “We need a president who sees America as one American family.”
News of Scott’s impending endorsement broke on Jan. 19 as Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley all campaigned in New Hampshire. When asked about the report, Haley said, “We’ll wait to see if it happened.”
DeSantis distanced himself from the reports.
"I actually thought Scott had already endorsed him," he said during an interview with Fox News. "I do think that that is a blow to Nikki Haley."
Scott shared a video of himself in front of the Trump campaign jet just before 4:00 PM EST encouraging people to watch the announcement.
“Tune in, pay attention, listen closely and let’s talk about four more years,” said the 58-year-old.
The senator was first elected in 2013. There has been speculation that Trump may select Scott as his running mate this year.
Scott ended his own 2024 presidential campaign in November because he felt the voters were telling him “not now.”
“I don’t think they’re saying ‘no’... so I am going to respect the voters and I’m going to hold on and keep working really hard and – look forward to another opportunity,” said Scott. He also referenced the Bible verse Romans 8:28.
“Such an important scripture. It says all things work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose,” the senator said. “I think the message is clear to me right now… But I am going to remain as committed to making sure that this country chooses the right person.”
NBC News reported that multiple members of Scott’s campaign staff were not aware of his plans to suspend his campaign.
It is unlikely Trump will name his pick for vice president before the summer. In 2016, he announced he had selected then-Governor of Indiana Mike Pence on July 15. President Joe Biden revealed then-California Senator Kamala Harris was his selection for Vice President in mid-August of 2020.
The South Carolina primary will take place on Feb. 24. The New Hampshire primary is scheduled for Jan. 23.
