Senator Tim Scott shocked Fox News host Trey Gowdy by announcing that he is suspending his presidential campaign during a live interview on Sunday night.
Scott has consistently trailed far behind former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican primary.
The surprise announcement came after Gowdy asked the South Carolina senator about his recent battle with the flu during a segment on Sunday Night in America.
“How are you feeling and when are you gonna get back on the campaign trail?” Gowdy asked. Trey Gowdy appeared visibly taken back by Sen. Tim Scott's announcement on his show that he is suspending his campaign.
"You have plenty of money. You have the highest approval numbers of any candidate... and you are suspending your presidential campaign?" Gowdy asks. pic.twitter.com/qFXH5vIqMc
— Olivia Rinaldi (@olivialarinaldi) November 13, 2023
“I’ve been drinking a lot of water,” Scott replied. “I’ll be down for another couple days. But I’m looking forward to getting back on the campaign trail.”
Scott then revealed that he would not be back on the campaign trail as a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, as voters believe that it is not his time.
“But when I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate,” Scott said. “I am suspending my campaign. I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet have been really clear that they’re telling me, ‘Not now, Tim.’ I don’t think they’re saying, Trey, ‘No,’ but I do think they’re saying, ‘Not now.’ So, I’m gonna respect the voters and I’m gonna hold on and keep working really hard, and look forward to the other opportunity.”
Gowdy appeared to be genuinely shocked by Scott's statement.
“You are– you are suspending your presidential campaign?” Gowdy asked. “You have plenty of money. You have the highest approval of any candidate that is running and you’re– you’re a couple of states from coming to a state where you are beloved, and you are suspending your presidential campaign?”
Scott cited Romans 8:28 in response.
“I’m trying to process this information and I’m trying to do it on live television, so forgive me,” Gowdy said.
Conservative radio host Larry Elder, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Texas congressman Will Hurd and businessman Perry Johnson have also ended their campaigns for the Republican nomination.
