New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu reiterated his endorsement for Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 general election, while also acknowledging his previous critiques of the former president.
During an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Sununu, a Republican who openly supported former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Trump in the GOP primary, faced persistent questioning from anchor George Stephanopoulos regarding his past criticisms of the former president.
Governor Sununu affirmed his previous criticism of Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021. However, he now expresses a change of opinion, stating that he no longer believes Trump should withdraw from the race if he is convicted in any of his four ongoing criminal cases. It’s important to note that Trump maintains his innocence throughout the proceedings.
During a CNN interview in June 2023, Sununu expressed his opinion that if Trump is convicted of any of the charges he faces, he should withdraw from the presidential race.
During the interview, Trump was facing indictments for allegedly mishandling classified documents and being involved in a New York hush money case that was scheduled to go to trial on Monday.
Trump has faced two additional indictments since then: one in a federal case linked to the events of January 6, and another in Georgia for his alleged misconduct in attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
During his appearance on “This Week” with Stephanopoulos, Sununu faced persistent questioning regarding his previous response. However, he adjusted his answer this time, in contrast to his stance last year.
Stephanopoulos asked if she still believed that the charges were serious and if Trump should drop out of the race if he was convicted.
Sununu initially stated that the legal problems faced by Trump were the exact “chaos” that he had criticized during the Republican primary when he supported Haley.
When Stephanopoulos pressed him further, Sununu changed his stance and stated that he no longer believes Trump should end his campaign if he is convicted.
Sununu dismissed the idea that the nominee would drop out after securing the nomination, saying, “No, no, no. Of course, that’s not to be expected at all.”
“People ultimately desire a cultural shift within the Republican Party. Even if it means having Trump as their representative, as chosen by the voters rather than my personal preference, we will embrace it if necessary. This showcases the strong desire for a transformation in American culture.”
Sununu, however, maintains his strong stance against Trump’s role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. He remains firm in his belief that President Trump’s rhetoric and actions directly contributed to the events that transpired. As he stated, “President Trump’s rhetoric and actions contributed to the insurrection.”
According to Sununu, there is no doubt that the actions of the individual in question had a significant impact. In his opinion, the election denialism witnessed in 2020 was something he strongly disapproved of. Looking ahead to the future, he expressed his hope that such discussions would not be a part of the discourse in 2024, emphasizing his belief that the events of that time were undeniably terrible.
He emphasized that supporting Trump, despite his ongoing false claims of winning the 2020 election, goes beyond just Trump himself. He contended that numerous Americans share the belief that the federal government requires “change.”
“The governor expressed his frustration with the liberal elites in Washington who seem to want to dictate the lives of hardworking American families. He emphasized that these families are the ones who have built and defended the country, and they deserve to have their voices heard. The governor acknowledged the anger and upset felt by many people who desire a cultural shift in how decisions are made.”
According to his statement, he mentioned that individuals are feeling distressed about the events that took place on January 6th. Moreover, he acknowledged that people are also upset about the denial of the election results. He emphasized that it is completely understandable for people to feel this way, as he himself shares these sentiments. However, he believes that in order to bring America back on the right path, a shift in culture is necessary.
Stephanopoulos asked for an explanation regarding the belief that he had contributed to an insurrection and how it was justified to bring him back to the Oval Office.
Sununu emphasized that his support for the current administration extends beyond just one individual. He believes in upholding Republican values and principles, which include a focus on states’ rights, individual rights, and parents’ rights.
“We’re committed to fostering a pro-business economy and putting an end to the pervasive cancel culture that has infiltrated communities across America,” Sununu emphasized. “It’s important to note that this is not about Trump; it’s about creating an environment that supports entrepreneurship and encourages economic growth.”
According to polls tracked by 538, Sununu mentioned that Trump maintains significant support among Republicans and is sometimes even shown to outperform President Joe Biden in general election polls. However, it is worth noting that Sununu may have exaggerated the extent of Trump’s popularity.
According to Sununu, these individuals are not labeled as crazy, MAGA conservatives, or extremists. Instead, they simply desire a shift in culture.
Stephanopoulos persisted, emphasizing that he wasn’t referring to polls. Instead, he posed a straightforward query: “Do you believe that a president who played a part in an insurrection should be given the opportunity to serve as president once more?”
Sununu responded, “George, 51% of America also holds the same belief.”
According to him, the focus should be on realizing the impact of inflation on families. It is crucial to acknowledge that the border issue is not limited to Texas alone; it affects all 50 states and needs to be effectively managed. Furthermore, it is important to address the elitism that the average American is fed up with.
According to Sununu, Trump’s pending trials have turned into a form of reality TV for the average American.
Last year, Sununu expressed his belief that the charges against Trump regarding classified documents were “obviously very severe” and “self-inflicted.” He also regarded the federal election case against Trump as “extremely severe.” Despite previously suggesting that the New York case is politically motivated, Sununu emphasized the gravity of the charges.
Stephanopoulos pressed for a response, asking if the person was at ease with the notion of endorsing a presidential candidate who had been convicted of a federal crime.
According to Sununu, it is clear that no American feels at ease with any of the current situations and they are certainly not pleased with the circumstances.
According to recent polls, it is evident that a significant number of voters would be deterred if Trump were to be found guilty of a felony. However, Sununu strongly emphasizes that, at present, the primary focus should be on the upcoming election.
“People are judging this based on politics,” he expressed. “The ultimate decision will be made in November to determine where people’s allegiances lie.”
