Donald Trump appealed to New Hampshire voters on Saturday, aiming to capitalize on his substantial lead over a diminishing field of GOP rivals. Trump, currently touring early nominating states, faces potential indictments as he contemplates a rematch with President Joe Biden in 2024.
Trump, addressing supporters in Durham, emphasized his commitment to winning the New Hampshire primary and defeating “crooked” Joe Biden in the upcoming election. He asserted that New Hampshire would sift out insincere Republicans in name only (RINOs), singling out rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, cautioning that they would betray their supporters.
The New Hampshire primary is scheduled for January 23, eight days after Iowa initiates the nomination process on January 15. Trump’s campaign strategists believe victory in early states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, could pave the way for nomination before Super Tuesday on March 5.
Prior to the rally, Trump’s campaign secured an endorsement from former state Senate President Chuck Morse, now running for governor. Morse urged Republicans to rally around a candidate capable of winning and getting the job done for the country.
In response to Governor Chris Sununu’s endorsement of Nikki Haley, Trump criticized Sununu as a “selfish spoiled brat” who missed opportunities and endorsed a candidate with no chance of winning. Trump remains confident in his dominance within the Republican Party and spent more time criticizing Biden’s administration.
A November poll by CNN and the University of New Hampshire found Haley in second place in the state, trailing Trump but leading DeSantis and Chris Christie. Trump, who won New Hampshire’s GOP primary twice, focused on his achievements under his administration, aiming to convince voters of his positive impact on the country.
Meanwhile, DeSantis, addressing Iowa on the same day, criticized Trump for not completing the southern border wall and contributing trillions to the national debt. Despite varying opinions, Trump’s narrative resonated with some voters, emphasizing the impact of his presidency on job opportunities and expressing a preference for his outspoken demeanor.