WASHINGTON — Sen. Steve Daines, who heads the Republican National Senatorial Committee, endorsed Donald Trump for president on Monday.
The Montana Republican’s endorsement is Trump’s first from a member of the Senate Republican leadership in his 2024 bid.
during a appearance On Donald Trump Jr.’s «Triggered» podcast, Daines said he was «proud» to endorse Trump.
“The best four years I’ve had in the US Senate are when President Trump was in the Oval Office,” Daines said, touting legislation that he said produced “one of the biggest tax cuts in the history of the United States”.
“Joe Biden has empowered and emboldened our adversaries by his weakness. He just shudders under his desk during the day,” Daines added. «For these reasons and many others, I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States.»
NBC News reported Thursday that Biden is preparing to formally announce his bid for a second term as soon as Tuesday, according to three sources familiar with his plans.
Daines’ endorsement of Trump comes as the field of Republican candidates continues to expand, with Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who was also Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, launching her presidential campaign in February and the former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, declaring his candidacy for the Republican nomination earlier this month.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, another likely candidate, launched a presidential exploratory committee earlier this month.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who trails Trump in the primary field according to a recent NBC poll, has yet to announce his presidential bid, as has former Vice President Mike Pence, who said Sunday he will likely take a decision on entering the candidacy. Republican Party primaries «well before the end of June.»