MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz made a plea for Republican unity while bemoaning the feud between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2024 cycle.
Speaking to a crowd of Trump supporters in his New Hampshire campaign headquarters, Gaetz (R-Fla.) lamented the beef between the duo when asked by an attendee whether the party can achieve unity after a bruising primary season.
“I think that is the question. I’m glad you were first. It’s the operative question because we can’t win if we’re divided,” Gaetz replied during a press open house.
“We already have the big media against us, big tech, big government, a lot of the big donors and big businesses,” he went on. “If we do unite, there are still more of us.”
His remarks came before DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump Sunday.
Gaetz quickly endorsed Trump over his home state governor in the 2024 GOP battle for the party nod.
Trump and DeSantis chafed bitterly on the campaign trail, with the 45th president hurling a slew of negative criticisms toward the governor.
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Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz called for unity between former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. @kleavittnh/Twitter
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Gaetz’s comments came shortly before DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images
Recently, Trump has begun to focus his slings and arrows on his former US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley.
DeSantis had initially insisted that he would stay in the race through the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24.
“I remember the good old days when I was Ron DeSantis, his transition chairman, and he and President Trump worked so well together,” Gaetz added.
“I hate when mom and dad fight.”
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Gaetz compared the primary race between DeSantis and Trump to parents fighting. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
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DeSantis endorsed Trump after suspending his campaign. AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Gaetz used the open house to urge Trump backers to stay focused on New Hampshire.
“They’ll try to get the Democrats out and Bernie Sanders could vote in the New Hampshire primary for Nikki Haley. I bet he probably would,” he quipped.
Trump is up in the Granite State with 50.3%, followed by Haley at 34%, per the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
New Hampshire’s contest will take place next Tuesday.
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