The governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu (R), stated in an interview on Thursday that he would endorse Donald Trump as the GOP candidate but remained unapologetic about his past disapproval of the former president.
Speaking with Adam Sexton of WMUR, Sununu was questioned about whether he would be an enthusiastic supporter of Trump as the 2024 White House race is expected to be a rematch between him and President Biden.
Sununu had supported Trump's rival, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, in the GOP primary, but she withdrew on Wednesday.
“I'm going to support the ticket. I'm going to support Donald Trump, but my focus is definitely going to be here in the state,” he said.
Sexton pointed out that Sununu had previously referred to Trump as a “loser” and made fun of the 77-year-old for his age.
“Look, I don’t take any of that back, to be sure,” Sununu said. “But again, understand this is an alternative. I mean, the alternative is Biden. And I think where folks are seeing a lack of management, a lack of understanding what’s happening with immigration, a lack of fiscal responsibility.”
The four-term New Hampshire governor, who is not seeking reelection this autumn, has previously stated he would support Trump if he became the eventual Republican nominee but has been a vocal critic of the former president.
“Chris Sununu said it himself: Donald Trump is a crazy a–hole and a soon-to-be four-time loser who can’t beat President Biden,” said Alex Floyd, rapid response director for the Democratic National Committee. “Sununu called Trump a coward and the definition of extremism who can barely keep a cogent thought. And above all else, Sununu was right about one thing: Trump will lead to Republican losses up and down the ballot in November.”
Sununu campaigned with Haley in the Granite State, which was seen as the former South Carolina governor’s best chance at defeating Trump or keeping the margin against him narrow. However, Trump ultimately defeated Haley by 11 points, and she later went on to lose her home state and many others.
However, Haley did win the Republican primary contests in Washington, D.C., and Vermont.
