Ron DeSantis drops out of presidential race after campaign’s failure to launch

Ron DeSantis is suspending his 2024 presidential campaign.

“We don’t have a clear path to victory. Accordingly, I am today suspending my campaign,” Mr DeSantis said. “I’m proud to have delivered on 100% of my promises. I will not stop now.”

The Florida governor went on to endorse former president Donald Trump for the nomination.

“I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump, such as on the Coronavirus pandemic, and his elevation of Anthony Fauci,” he said. “Trump is superior to the current incumbent Joe Biden.”

“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee and I will honour that pledge,” he continued. “He has my endorsement because we can't go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, or a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”

At his own New Hampshire rally on Sunday, Mr Trump responded to the news that his one-time Republican rival had given him his backing with some rare praise.

Gone were Mr Trump’s favoured nicknames for the Florida governor – “DeSantimonious” or “DeSanctus” – as perhaps the most bitter rivalry of the Republicans’ 2024 campaign seemed to come to an abrupt end.

“I just want to thank Ron and congratulate him on doing a very good job,” Mr Trump said at the outset of his remarks.

“He was very gracious, and he endorsed me. I appreciate that, and I also look forward to working with Ron.”

Mr Trump described Mr DeSantis as “a really terrific person”.

Earlier, the Trump campaign issued a statement to tell voters “it’s time to choose wisely” between Mr Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, the only other candidate left in the race for the GOP nomination.

“Nikki Haley is the candidate of the globalists and Democrats who will do everything to stop the