In February, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said this of Donald Trump: “The problem now is he is not the same person he was in 2016. He is unhinged; he is more diminished than he was, just like Joe Biden’s more diminished than what he was.”
On Tuesday night, she backed his presidential campaign — from the stage at the Republican National Convention. “I'll start by making one thing perfectly clear,” Haley said. “Donald Trump has my strong endorsement.”
Ahem.
Following Haley to the stage was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who, you might recall, said this of Trump in January: “You can be the most worthless Republican in America. But if you kiss the ring, he’ll say you’re wonderful.”
On Tuesday night, DeSantis did just that.
“Life was more affordable when Donald Trump was president,” said DeSantis. “Our border was safer under the Trump administration. Our country was respected when Donald Trump was our Commander in Chief.”
This is the political reality of Trump’s Republican party. Either you kiss the ring and show total fealty or you are considered an enemy. And Trump’s enemies don’t fare too well.
Both DeSantis and Haley would like to run for president again. And both know that the only way to preserve that possibility in today’s Republican party is to get behind Trump — wholly and unapologetically.
All that and more in today’s edition of The Morning. This is always a free post. But I would love if you would become an investor in what I am building here. Through the end of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, you can become a paid subscriber for just $5 a month or $50 for the year!
The Morning: Republicans kiss the ring