North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who just abandoned his own campaign for the presidency, has officially backed Donald Trump as the preferred candidate for president. The endorsement was declared during a Trump rally in Indianola, Iowa on Sunday.
Burgum, who terminated his campaign due to poor performance in the polls and inability to meet the criteria for significant GOP debates, publicly declared “I’m here to do something that none of the other presidential primary candidates have done, and that endorses Donald J. Trump for president.”
The decision is made in response to Trump’s ongoing lead in the polls leading up to the Iowa caucuses.
“President Trump protected our borders. He cut red tape like no president has ever done before. He passed the largest tax cuts in the history of America and he supercharged our economy,” Bergum exclaimed.
Burgum has maintained a connection with Trump that may be described as predominantly favorable and in agreement with the positions of the Republican Party. Burgum, a businessman like to Trump, has demonstrated endorsement for Trump’s policies, namely those pertaining to energy and economic matters, which have great importance for North Dakota.
The governor has shown clear support for Trump on multiple occasions, including endorsing Trump’s re-election campaign.
Trump, who presented Burgum as well as his wife at the occasion, is currently strengthening his backing among Republican Party elites. The endorsement carries significant weight, especially because it originates from a previous contender in the primary race, indicating a consolidation of Republican backing for Trump’s candidacy.
Bergum stated to CNN on Monday that “President Trump is going to win the Republican nomination. It’s not going to be close. He’s going to be up against Joe Biden. And as a governor and as a business person, I’ve had an opportunity to see what it’s like under each of those presidents.”
“And I can tell you in our state, which is an energy state, an ag state, we were much better off under President Trump. And I know when we campaign on three things: economy, energy, national security. Those things are all three interrelated. Joe Biden’s taking this country in 180 degrees the wrong direction. And I know that under a Trump administration, we’re going to be going in the right direction on that.”
Trump’s candidacy has garnered tremendous support, with major figures endorsing him, further strengthening his standing as the leading candidate in the Republican primary.
As ‘Super Tuesday’ approaches, the latest polls indicate that Trump is maintaining his initial advantage.
According to polling conducted by The Trafalgar Group and Insider Advantage, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are currently in a close race, with Haley at 18.5% and DeSantis at 19.3%.
Trump’s poll rating stands at an impressive 52.1%, giving him a significant advantage over his competitors.
📊 IOWA GOP CAUCUS FINAL POLL
• Trump — 52.1% (+32.8)
• DeSantis — 19.3%
• Haley — 18.5%
• Ramaswamy — 6.5%
• Hutchinson — 0.7%• Trafalgar (B) | @InsiderPolling (B)
• 1,092 LV | 01/12-14 | MoE: ±2.9%https://t.co/RyNWfQSweR pic.twitter.com/0wU4t3f8RF— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) January 15, 2024
The Iowa caucuses commence on the evening of Monday, January 15th. Although Trump’s position as the frontrunner in the competition is nearly certain, the second-place position, which is vital for the viability of any significant campaign, seems to be highly contested between Haley and DeSantis, with similar statistical standings. It is not entirely impossible for Ramaswamy to emerge as a strong contender.
Trump directed his attention onto his most prominent supporter amid the Republican nomination contest contenders on Saturday, specifically targeting Ramaswamy and informing his followers on Truth Social that the Republican entrepreneur does not align with the principles of “Make America Great Again” (MAGA). Furthermore, his allies are also causing widespread havoc.
Trump is heading to Iowa for the caucus voting, which will occur amidst exceptionally frigid temperatures.
Trump noted that the weather conditions may potentially favor his campaign in the state. Additionally, he believes that diminishing any backing for Ramaswamy would also be advantageous. Consequently, he openly criticized the primary rival who is significantly less inclined to retaliate.
“Vivek started his campaign as a great supporter, ‘the best President in generations,’ etc. Unfortunately, now all he does is disguise his support in the form of deceitful campaign tricks. Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the “other side” — don’t get duped by this,” exclaimed Trump. “Vote for ‘TRUMP,’ don’t waste your vote! Vivek is not MAGA. The Biden Indictments against his Political Opponent will never be allowed in this Country, they are already beginning to fall! MAGA!!!”
Chris LaCivita, who works on Trump’s campaign as an adviser, strongly criticized Ramaswamy on X shortly before Trump made the above comment. This criticism was accompanied by a retweet of a picture that likely triggered the subsequent events. The candidate uploaded a photograph depicting himself beside a gathering of voters donning t-shirts that said “Save Trump, Vote Vivek”.
“Here is a great picture of this campaigns number one FRAUD,” LaCivita posted on X, declaring, “Trump doesn’t need ‘saving’.”
Here is a great picture of this campaigns number one FRAUD –
1. Trump doesnt need "saving"
2. If you support @realDonaldTrump you sure as hell dont vote for this FAKE https://t.co/pTBYZggH2w— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) January 13, 2024
Right after that, Trump posted his comment on Truth Social, and LaCivita published it to his X account, stating “And here ya go….”
And here ya go…. https://t.co/5vNyAMpeuP
— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) January 13, 2024
The influence of weather on voter turnout remains uncertain, and it is a subject of controversy as to which candidate, if any, would be advantaged or disadvantaged by it.