Former President Donald Trump expressed surprise and joy at the engagement of Senator Tim Scott during a rally in Laconia, New Hampshire on the eve of the first-in-the-nation primary. Trump, addressing the crowd, announced Scott’s engagement and exclaimed, We never thought this was going to happen, what’s going on?
Scott, a lifelong bachelor, revealed his engagement to Mindy Noce on Sunday. The South Carolina senator had previously kept his relationship under wraps until the third GOP debate last November, after which he withdrew from the race.
Trump’s rally aimed to showcase party unity and featured three of his former 2024 presidential rivals. Scott took the podium briefly to commend Trump for his handling of crime and inflation before yielding it back to the former president.
Following Scott, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum also delivered short speeches in support of Trump. Ramaswamy urged the crowd to participate in the primary, while Burgum emphasized the need for Trump’s leadership to improve the country’s safety and economy.
Trump, buoyed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ exit from the 2024 contest and endorsement of Trump, confidently declared that the field had narrowed down to two candidates, one of whom would likely drop out the next day.
However, a more challenging opponent for Trump remains: his former US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley. Trump criticized Haley during the rally for her endorsements from prosperity advocacy group Americans for Prosperity Action and referred to her allies as pro-amnesty, pro-China, pro-open borders, pro-war, pro-deep state, and pro-Biden.
Haley, who endorsed Scott last Friday, is facing significant competition from Trump and his endorsements, including Rep. Nancy Mace and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
With South Carolina regarded as a key race after New Hampshire, to be held on February 24, Haley has chosen to compete in the Nevada primary instead of the caucus. Recent polling data indicates that DeSantis’ exit has given Trump a boost, with Trump leading in New Hampshire at 54.9%, followed by Haley at 36.7%, according to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
Haley remains optimistic about her chances in the Granite State, but the race is far from over. Trump continues to enjoy substantial support, and his rally aimed to convey a message of Republican unity and rally his base for the upcoming primary and subsequent challenges.
As the primary season unfolds, all eyes will be on the candidates as they vie for support in each state. The engagement announcement brought unexpected excitement to the campaign trail, showcasing a personal milestone for Scott and generating buzz among supporters and political pundits alike.
