OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and the Fox & Friends hosts argued on Wednesday morning over what Sununu called their glorification of former President Donald Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
The conversation began when Sununu claimed that the results of New Hampshire’s primary on Tuesday night demonstrated “that Trump is going to have a huge problem in November.” Trump handily won the primary over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is backed by Sununu.
“Guys, this is all about the general election. We need winners. I want to win Senate seats, House seats, and governorships. I want my candidate for president to win by double digits,” submitted Sununu.
Fox’s Brian Kilmeade responded by pointing out that while Granite State’s governor was skeptical of Trump’s candidacy, Trump had easily defeated Sununu’s favorite, Nikki Haley, in two straight contests.
Sununu acknowledged that, but also pointing out that polls show Haley performing noticeably better than Trump against President Joe Biden in hypothetical general election matchups.
After a few more discussions about this issue and Sununu’s potential presidential run, Sununu presented his case and flatly refuted the demands of “elitists” for Haley to give way to Trump.
“You think that she could ever win over MAGA Republicans, over Donald Trump?” inquired Kilmeade
“Over Donald Trump? Well, look, no. MAGA and Donald Trump, That’s the brand, right? And that’s fine. And he’s got that core, that 30, 40%, whatever it is. When you go forward again, she wasn’t even considered in the race two months ago,” replied Sununu. “So this is really just getting started. And that’s why New Hampshire is the first in the nation primary. You don’t end and call it a race, you know, when when somebody is gaining momentum.”
“What are the chances if he has more delegates and he ends up getting the nomination, that he would pick her as vice president?” asked Ainsley Earhardt.
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask him. I have no idea. But again, how about this? How about we start with a debate?” asked Sununu in return “I mean, wouldn’t it be nice if we actually had a Fox debate where the president actually had to get on the stage and answer questions? Right? The fact that you guys want to coronate him, before he’s even stepped on the debate stage. That’s not fair.”
The assertion drew protests from the hosts.
“You can’t say that we’re coronating,” shot back a frustrated Kilmeade.
“A coronation’s a royal family [inaudible],” said an indignant Earhardt.
“Okay, Ronna McDaniel. How about Ronna?” asked Sununu, referring to the RNC chairwoman who endorsed Trump after the primary on Tuesday. “Let’s call it the elitists in Washington. The political establishment wants to coronate him. They don’t want to have a debate.”
“Listen, there’s no debate: We had a great time in New Hampshire, Governor. Thank you very much!” declared Steve Doocy, ending the interview.
WATCH:
Leading 2024 GOP presidential contender Donald Trump aimed at his remaining rival, his one-time UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, following remarks she made after her loss to him in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News, the former president indicated that he believes Haley should drop out of the race now after losing the Granite State and coming in third place last week in Iowa.
“I’m very honored by the result,” Trump told Fox News Digital of the primary results.
He then said he was “looking forward to going against the worst president in the history of our country.”
When he was asked if he felt the former South Carolina governor would suspend her campaign, he said: “I don’t know, she should.”
“She should because, otherwise, we have to keep wasting money instead of spending on Biden,” Trump said. “If she doesn’t drop out, we have to waste money instead of spending it on Biden, which is our focus.”
“The party is very united except for her,” Trump said of Haley. “The party is very united, and we’re looking forward to going against the worst president in the history of our country.”
