With his seemingly insurmountable lead over rival Nikki Haley in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, former President Donald Trump is increasingly being treated as the presumptive nominee. As such, there has been significant media speculation regarding his pick as a running-mate ahead of the general election.
One name that has been mentioned frequently is U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), a one-time primary candidate who almost immediately endorsed Trump upon suspending his campaign.
When Trump held a Valentine’s Day rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, Scott was on hand to make the introduction.
“I recently got engaged, and today is Valentine’s Day,” the senator said. “But I told my fiancee I have a chance to introduce the next president of the United States.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who has also been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick, was also on hand to address the crowd.
It was an honor to speak at President Trump’s rally tonight. South Carolina is Trump country, and we’re ready to send him back to the White House! pic.twitter.com/YAij3Ea4uw
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) February 15, 2024
Flanked by two prominent Republicans from South Carolina, Trump took aim at Haley in her home state ahead of a primary election he is poised to win in a landslide.
He rejected Haley’s claim, based on years-old statements and accusations, that he does not adequately support United States service members.
Noting that she defended him against similar Biden campaign allegations four years ago, Trump asserted: “I love our military. I love our vets. I’ve taken care of our vets like no president has ever done.”
Much of his speech was directed at President Joe Biden’s record, particularly on the economy.
“America was stronger, richer, safer and more confident than ever when I was sitting behind that desk in the Oval Office,” he declared.
Describing “MAGAnomics” as the best way to reverse the negative impact of “Bidenomics,” Trump concluded that “Crooked Joe” Biden squandered a strong economy and initiated a war on the “great middle class” upon taking office in 2021.
“He inherited an amazing success from me,” Trump said of his successor. “He wrecked it almost immediately and turned it into something resembling much worse than a third-world nation.”
Trump, who lost Charleston County in each of the past two presidential elections, drew a large and supportive crowd as part of his bid to break that streak in November.
