Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire mentioned on Sunday that former President Donald J. Trump “completely contributed” to an rebellion 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 main, he mentioned Mr. Trump was “nervous about jail time” and “not an actual Republican” — to loyal foot soldier.
It’s a transformation that has repeated itself repeatedly throughout the Republican Get together, and one which Mr. Sununu previewed in January, when he was campaigning for Ms. Haley however mentioned he would help Mr. Trump if he gained the nomination.
“Nobody must be stunned by my help,” he mentioned on Sunday. “I feel the actual dialogue is, you already know, People shifting away from Biden. That’s how dangerous Biden has change into as president. There’s simply little question 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 rebellion” 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 recommended that Mr. Stephanopoulos was out of contact with public opinion if he thought considerations about democracy or felony convictions would sway voters.
“You imagine {that a} president who contributed to an rebellion must 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 taking place throughout this nation.”
He went on: “It’s not about simply supporting Trump. It’s eliminating what we now have at present. It’s about understanding inflation is crushing households. It’s understanding that this border concern shouldn’t be a Texas concern, it’s a 50-state concern 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 larger than anticipated in a report launched final week.
Mr. Sununu mentioned that People’ 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 now have 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 despite the fact that you imagine he contributed to an rebellion. You help him for president despite the fact that you imagine he’s mendacity concerning the final election. You’d help him for president even when he’s convicted within the Manhattan case. I simply need to say, the reply to that’s sure, right?”
“Yeah,” Mr. Sununu mentioned. “Me and 51 % of America.”