Ex-President Donald Trump said that Mike Pence owes him for getting chosen as vice president and should endorse his run for president after his former No. 2 dropped out of the running on Saturday.
Trump lamented during his remarks in Las Vegas, Nevada that he’s disappointed in the lack of loyalty in politics.
Pence issued a shock announcement at the Republican Jewish Coalition Summit earlier on Saturday where he said he was withdrawing from the 2024 Republican nomination contest.
Trump spoke at the same event – and later in the day held a commit to caucus event down the Vegas Strip from the Venetian Conference Center at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country.
At his second remarks of the day, Trump said the former vice president should now issue an endorsement for his third presidential run despite their bitter falling-out in the final days of 2020.
Donald Trump says former Vice President Mike Pence should endorse him now that he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race
Pence served as Trump’s vice president for his single term. Now, Trump says his ex-No. 2 should endorse his bid despite their bitter falling out in the final days of the administration
‘You know, people are leaving now, and they’re all endorsing me,’ Trump said. ‘I don’t know about Mike Pence.’
‘He should endorse me, you know why? Because I had a great successful presidency and he was the vice president,’ the former president added. ‘He should enforce me. I chose him, made him vice president. But people in politics can be very disloyal. I’ve never seen anything like it.’
In reference to some others who dropped out of the race like conservative radio host Larry Elder, Trump said: ‘Everybody that leaves seems to be endorsing me.’
Pence said Saturday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race after it became increasingly clear that he could not win the Republican nomination.
‘You know, we always knew this would be an uphill battle. But I have no regrets,’ Pence assured.
He added: ‘The only thing that would have been harder than coming up short, would have been if we never tried at all.’
Trump said that there are people that ‘have what it takes’ to be president, and said he would sharee ‘one day’ those he believes are up to the job – but didn’t say Pence was one of them.
Former Vice President Mike Pence made a shock announcement earlier on Saturday at the Republican Jewish Coalition Summit that he is ending his 2024 bid for president
Pence explained that he originally launched his campaign in June because the U.S. is in ‘a lot of trouble.’
He said, however, that now is not his time to step-in to help.
‘The Bible tells us that there’s a time for every purpose under heaven,’ Pence said in closing his remarks at the Venetian Conference Center on the Vegas Strip.
‘Traveling across the country over the last six months, I came here to say – it’s become clear to me, this is not my time,’ the former vice president said with awestruck responses from the crowd.
He announced: ‘So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president, effective today.’
During his remarks about stepping aside, Pence received several, long-lasting standing ovations from the thousands of Jewish Republicans gathered to hear 2024 GOP candidates speak in Las Vegas on Saturday.
‘Thank you, Mike,’ one attendee was heard shouting.
Pence invited his wife and former Second Lady Karen Pence (left) on stage Saturday as he thanked his campaign team and family for their support during presidential bid
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley was two speakers down the line from Pence at the RJC Summit on Saturday – and she had some sweet words for her now-former competitor.
‘A special point to Vice President Mike Pence – He’s been a good man of faith, he’s been a good man of service. He’s fought for America and he’s fought for Israel, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude,’ the 2024 hopeful said at the top of her remarks.
Pence was moved when speaking to a crowd giving him love as he announced he is stepping aside.
‘To the American people I say, this is not my time, but it’s still your time,’ he said. ‘I urge you to hold fast to what matters most – faith, family, and the Constitution of the United States of America.’
‘Let me thank you all for the opportunity of serving as your Vice President. It was the greatest honor of my life.’