In a show of support for the 2024 general election, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu reiterated his backing for Donald Trump. While he stood by certain aspects of his previous criticism towards the former president, not all of them were affirmed.
During an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Sununu, a Republican who had endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Trump in the GOP primary, found himself facing repeated questions from anchor George Stephanopoulos regarding his past criticisms of the former president.
Governor Sununu maintains his stance from 2021, where he publicly criticized Trump for his involvement in the events of January 6th. However, he now expresses a change of opinion regarding Trump’s potential withdrawal from the race if convicted in any of his four criminal cases. It’s worth noting that Trump vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
During a CNN interview in June 2023, Sununu expressed his belief that if Trump were to be convicted of any of the charges he faces, he should withdraw from the presidential race.
During the interview, Trump was facing multiple legal challenges. He had recently been indicted for allegedly mishandling classified documents while he was out of office. Additionally, he was also facing charges in a New York hush money case, which was scheduled to go to trial on Monday.
Trump has faced two additional indictments since then. One is related to the events of January 6th, in a federal case, while the other pertains to his alleged actions in Georgia in an attempt to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
During his appearance on “This Week” with Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Sununu was pressed multiple times for clarification. As a result, he modified his response from the one he gave last year.
Stephanopoulos asked if Collins still held the belief that the charges against Trump were grave and that he should withdraw from the race if found guilty.
Sununu initially stated that Trump’s legal troubles were the very “chaos” that he had opposed during the GOP primary when he supported Haley.
In response to Stephanopoulos’ continued questioning, Sununu revised his stance, stating that he no longer believes Trump should suspend his campaign if convicted.
“No, no, no — he won’t drop out after becoming the nominee? Of course not. You know that’s not something we should expect at all,” Sununu emphasized.
“People ultimately desire a culture change within the Republican Party. Even if it means having Trump as the representative, chosen by the voters, rather than my personal preference, we will accept it. This is a testament to how strongly America desires a shift in culture,” he expressed.
According to Sununu, he continues to fully support his strong criticism of Trump, which he expressed shortly after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Sununu firmly stated that he believes President Trump’s words and actions played a role in fueling the insurrection.
According to Sununu, there is no doubt that the actions of the individual in question played a significant role in contributing to the election denialism of 2020. He expressed his strong dislike for this denialism and emphasized that it is something that should not be discussed or entertained in 2024. Sununu described the entire situation as absolutely terrible.
Supporting Trump goes beyond just supporting him as an individual, according to the source. Despite Trump’s ongoing false claims about winning the 2020 election, many Americans believe that there is a need for change in the federal government.
According to the governor, there is a significant dissatisfaction among hardworking American families who feel that liberal elites in Washington are trying to dictate their way of life. These families are the backbone of the nation, having built and defended it. They are angry and upset, seeking a cultural shift that aligns with their values.
According to him, individuals are deeply disturbed by the events of January 6th. He further acknowledges that the denial of the election results has also caused significant distress among the public, and rightfully so. He personally shares in these sentiments, recognizing the need for a transformative shift in our culture in order to steer America towards a better future.
During the interview, Stephanopoulos posed a direct question to the speaker: “Considering your belief that he played a part in an insurrection, could you clarify how you can justify advocating for his return to the Oval Office?”
Sununu emphasized that his support for Trump is not just about the individual, but about upholding the principles of the Republican Party. He believes in maintaining a Republican administration, with Republican secretaries and policies that prioritize states’ rights, individual rights, and parents’ rights.
Sununu emphasized the importance of fostering a pro-business economy and rejecting the pervasive cancel culture that has permeated society. He made it clear that his support extends beyond any individual, including Trump.
According to polls tracked by 538, Sununu mentioned Trump’s ongoing and widespread support among Republicans. He also highlighted early polling data that suggests Trump occasionally outperforms President Joe Biden in the general election. However, it is worth noting that Sununu may have exaggerated the extent of Trump’s consistently high numbers.
According to Sununu, these individuals are not considered crazy, MAGA conservatives, or extremists. Instead, they are seeking culture change.
Stephanopoulos persisted in his questioning, emphasizing that he was not referring to polls. He posed a straightforward query, seeking clarification on Trump’s stance. He wanted to know if Trump believed that a president who had played a role in inciting an insurrection should be allowed to hold the office again.
Sununu responded, stating, “George, 51% of America shares the same view.”
In his statement, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the impact of inflation on families. He also highlighted that the border issue is not limited to just Texas but is a concern for all 50 states. Bringing this issue under control is crucial. Additionally, he expressed his frustration with the prevailing sense of elitism, which many average Americans are growing weary of.
Sununu argues that Trump’s pending trials have turned into a form of reality TV for everyday Americans.
In the past, Sununu expressed his belief that the New York case against Trump is politically motivated. However, he also acknowledged the seriousness of the charges related to classified documents, describing them as “obviously very severe” and “self-inflicted.” Similarly, Sununu characterized the federal election case against Trump as “extremely severe.”
Stephanopoulos persisted in his questioning, seeking a direct response: “Are you at ease with the notion of endorsing a presidential candidate who has been found guilty of a federal offense?”
Sununu expressed that no American is comfortable or in favor of the current situation.
Sununu emphasized his view that “right now this is about an election,” despite polling also indicating that many voters would be deterred by Trump being convicted of a felony.
“This issue revolves around politics, and that’s how people are evaluating it,” he expressed. “Ultimately, in November, we will see where people stand through the final decision.”
