Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds explained to NBC host Chuck Todd why he endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has not formally declared his candidacy.
Donalds was interviewed Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” by Todd, who asked why he endorsed Trump after introducing DeSantis for his reelection victory speech in November.
“To me, it’s not really about Donald Trump versus Ron DeSantis, it’s about what America needs and that’s where I’ve been, really since day one,” Donalds said.
He cited foreign policy as an issue where Donald Trump stands out compared to DeSantis.
“We need somebody who can step in day one, look at Vladimir Putin, look at Xi Jinping and say, ‘Okay, enough,’ I’m back,” Donalds said. “I think there’s only one person who has that ability right now and it’s Donald Trump.
And for all the naysayers who would say, ‘Oh, he’s unpredictable, oh, we don’t know what he’s going to do. Let’s be very clear: when he was president of the United States the world was in a much safer place.”
Todd pressed Donalds on Trump’s description of the January 6th Capitol riot as a “beautiful day” during a May 10 townhall with CNN. Donalds said January 6th was a “terrible day” for the country, but the American people are not “consuming” it the way the media and DC insiders are.
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