Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan mentioned Sunday that he would consider not running for president in 2024 if his bid would enhance former President Donald Trump’s probabilities of successful re-election.
“I’m a lifelong Republican who needs to assist the nominee of the celebration, whoever that’s. Nevertheless, you realize, I’ve mentioned earlier than, I didn’t assist Trump, I wouldn’t assist Trump,” Hogan mentioned throughout an unique interview on NBC Information’ “Meet the Press.”
Host Chuck Todd requested Hogan, an outspoken GOP critic of Trump who has been weighing his personal presidential bid, “In the event you thought your candidacy was going to contribute to … inadvertently serving to Donald Trump, would that be a purpose not to run?”
“That’d be a reasonably good purpose to consider not running. Completely,” Hogan mentioned, including, “I don’t care that a lot about my future in the Republican Celebration. I care about ensuring we now have a future for the Republican Celebration.”
Hogan was additionally requested to touch upon the Republican National Committee’s reported effort to dam Republican presidential candidates from the controversy stage if they do not signal a pledge to assist the eventual GOP nominee.
“I feel it is sort of foolish as a result of it’s not going to occur,” he mentioned.
“I imply, if they are saying you’re not gonna be on the controversy stage, if you received’t decide to assist the nominee, then President Trump received’t be on the controversy stage,” Hogan mentioned. “And I don’t suppose anyone believes that that’s going to occur.”
In an look this month on conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt’s present, Hogan was requested whether or not he would assist the previous president if he is the GOP nominee in 2024. He replied: “Yeah, I simply don’t suppose he’s going to be the nominee, however I’ll assist the nominee.”
Hogan later clarified on Twitter: “Trump received’t decide to supporting the Republican nominee, and I received’t decide to supporting him. As I’ve repeatedly mentioned, I absolutely anticipate to assist the Republican nominee — who I don’t imagine might be Trump.”
Lately, Hogan has also criticized those within the GOP who stood by Trump amid his refusal to concede the 2020 presidential election.
“It bothers me you must swear fealty to the expensive chief otherwise you get kicked out of the celebration. It simply doesn’t make any sense,” Hogan advised “Meet the Press” in Could 2021. “It’s kind of a round firing squad the place we’re simply attacking members of our personal celebration as a substitute of specializing in fixing issues.”
Trump introduced his third presidential bid in November. Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador beneath Trump, additionally declared her candidacy this month. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina are additionally thought of doubtless presidential candidates.
Requested whether or not he has decided about his potential run for the White Home, Hogan mentioned he has not however goes to “take a reasonably critical have a look at this.
“I’m touring across the nation simply making an attempt to get a really feel for what Republican voters need, what People are searching for, and we’re going to decide in a comparatively brief time period,” Hogan mentioned.
This text was initially revealed on NBCNews.com
