Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire mentioned on Sunday that former President Donald J. Trump “completely contributed” to an rebel and that Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election have been “completely horrible” — however that nothing, not even felony convictions, would cease him from voting for Mr. Trump as a result of the economic system, border safety and “tradition change” have been extra vital.
The interview, on ABC Information’s “This Week,” showcased Mr. Sununu’s transformation from Trump critic — whereas supporting Nikki Haley within the Republican major, he mentioned Mr. Trump was “fearful about jail time” and “not an actual Republican” — to loyal foot soldier.
It’s a transformation that has repeated itself again and again throughout the Republican Social gathering, and one which Mr. Sununu previewed in January, when he was campaigning for Ms. Haley however mentioned he would help Mr. Trump if he received the nomination.
“Nobody ought to be shocked by my help,” he mentioned on Sunday. “I feel the actual dialogue is, you understand, Individuals transferring away from Biden. That’s how unhealthy Biden has develop into as president. There’s simply little doubt about it, proper? You may’t ignore inflation. You may’t ignore the border and say that these points within the courthouse are going to be the one factor that brings Biden again into workplace.”
The interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, pressed Mr. Sununu on why he was supporting a person who he mentioned had “contributed to the rebel” on Jan. 6.
Mr. Sununu affirmed that he nonetheless believed that. However he mentioned it shouldn’t shock anybody {that a} Republican governor would help a Republican nominee, and urged that Mr. Stephanopoulos was out of contact with public opinion if he thought considerations about democracy or felony convictions would sway voters.
“You consider {that a} president who contributed to an rebel ought to be president once more?” Mr. Stephanopoulos requested.
“As does 51 % of America, George,” Mr. Sununu mentioned. “I imply, actually. I perceive you’re a part of the media, I perceive you’re on this New York Metropolis bubble or no matter it’s, however you bought to go searching what’s occurring throughout this nation.”
He went on: “It’s not about simply supporting Trump. It’s eliminating what we have now at this time. It’s about understanding inflation is crushing households. It’s understanding that this border difficulty just isn’t a Texas difficulty, it’s a 50-state difficulty that must be introduced beneath management. It’s about that kind of elitism that the common American is simply sick and bored with, and it’s a tradition change. That’s what I’m supporting.”
Inflation has declined sharply from its 2022 peak, however was increased than anticipated in a report launched final week.
Mr. Sununu mentioned that Individuals’ want for “tradition change,” a phrase he used eight instances however didn’t concretely outline, outweighed considerations about Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the election or the 4 prison trials he faces, the primary of which begins this week.
Whereas Mr. Trump because the Republican nominee wasn’t what he wished, “we’ll take it if we have now to,” Mr. Sununu mentioned. “That’s how badly America desires a tradition change.”
Mr. Stephanopoulos pushed again as soon as extra.
“So simply to sum up, you’d help him for president even when he was convicted in labeled paperwork,” he mentioned. “You help him for president although you consider he contributed to an rebel. You help him for president although you consider he’s mendacity concerning the final election. You’d help him for president even when he’s convicted within the Manhattan case. I simply wish to say, the reply to that’s sure, right?”
“Yeah,” Mr. Sununu mentioned. “Me and 51 % of America.”