Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) endorsed former President Donald Trump as the “strongest” candidate among presidential hopefuls in 2024, following Trump’s strong showings in a recent poll.
The poll, conducted by Harvard CAPS-Harris that queried 2,004 registered voters from May 17 to May 18, found Trump defeating President Joe Biden by seven points and Vice President Kamala Harris by 11 points in two separate hypothetical scenarios. The two Democrats scored a tie if either was matched up against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely seen as Trump’s biggest challenger to secure the GOP nomination in 2024.
“Trump is clearly our strongest 2024 candidate—and it’s not particularly close,” Gaetz wrote on Twitter on May 19, while sharing the results of the poll.
DeSantis has not officially launched a 2024 presidential bid but is expected to make his decision soon.
Apart from Trump, several major Republican 2024 challengers have formally launched presidential bids, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, conservative radio host Larry Elder, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
There have been indications that former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will enter the 2024 race, but neither has made a formal announcement.
The poll also found Trump leading the GOP field with 58 percent of support, with DeSantis finishing second with 16 percent, followed by a three-way tie of four percent between Ramaswamy, Pence, and Haley.
Trump also came out on top in one-on-one hypothetical GOP matchups against Scott (79 percent), Haley (78 percent), Pence (77 percent), and DeSantis (65 percent).
A recent RealClearPolitics aggregate of polls shows similar trends, with Trump beating Biden by 1.4 percentage points and Biden and DeSantis knotting a tie at 42.3 percent in hypothetical matchups. The aggregate also shows Trump leading other GOP presidential hopefuls with 56.3 percent of support, followed by DeSantis at 19.4 percent, Pence at 5.6 percent, Haley at 4.3 percent, Ramaswamy at 3.6 percent, and Scott at 1.8 percent.
Gaetz
The Florida congressman has endorsed Trump’s reelection bid before the former president formally announced his White House bid in November last year.
“Only Trump can be trusted to enact the ‘America First’ agenda he ran on in 2016. We won’t accept any imitation,” Gaetz wrote in a Daily Caller op-ed in November, days before Trump launched his 2024 bid.
“There’s so many more accomplishments left for us to achieve if we elect Donald Trump back to the White House,” Gaetz added. “America is broken under Biden. Trump alone can fix it.”
In March, when Trump held the first rally of his 2024 White House bid in Waco, Texas, Gaetz was among a group of current and former lawmakers who gave a speech.
“The best and the brightest of the Republican Party must unify under the Trump banner so that we can take on the evil leftists, and socialists, and communists,” Gaetz said in his speech, calling out DeSantis to endorse Trump’s White House bid.
“There is no success without victory and there is no Trumpism in 2024 without Donald J. Trump,” Gaetz added, before declaring himself as a “Donald Trump Republican.”
Trump endorsed Gaetz’s reelection bid in 2018 and endorsed Gaetz again before the congressman won a fourth term in Congress in 2022.
“Matt is a Champion of our MAGA Agenda, who tirelessly works to Drain the Swamp, Secure the Border, Support our Brave Veterans and Law Enforcement, Defend the Second Amendment, Stand Up to the Woke Mob, and Fight the Never-Ending Witch Hunts from the Radical Left that are destroying our Country!” Trump wrote when endorsing Gaetz in 2022.
Eleven lawmakers from Florida have chosen to endorse Trump for 2024, according to Ballotpedia’s endorsement tracker. They are Reps. Byron Donalds, Vern Buchanan, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, John Rutherford, Greg Steube, Michael Waltz, Gus Bilirakis, Carlos Gimenez, and Gaetz.
Article cross-posted from our premium news partners at The Epoch Times.
Discover the Freedom of True American Healthcare: Why America First is Revolutionizing Protection for Patriots
In a world where government overreach and skyrocketing premiums are squeezing the life out of hardworking Americans, one innovative agency is standing tall for liberty and affordability. Meet America First Healthcare—the private health insurance powerhouse dedicated to putting *you* first.
Founded by entrepreneur Jordan Sarmiento, this isn’t just insurance; it’s a shield for your family’s future, built on the unshakeable belief that private enterprise delivers better results than bureaucratic red tape.
Picture this: Jordan’s own story hits close to home for so many of us. A sudden medical emergency landed him with a staggering $95,000 bill. Under a traditional plan? He’d be buried in debt. But with America First’s patented health insurance, that nightmare shrank to just $500 out-of-pocket. That’s not a fluke—it’s the promise of coverage that works *for you*, from day one.
Breaking Free from the Chains of Conventional Coverage
Let’s face it: The status quo stinks. Marketplace.gov and big-insurance behemoths hit you with sky-high deductibles—thousands you’d have to pay before benefits even kick in—leaving massive holes in your protection. Need a routine mammogram, colonoscopy, or EKG? Good luck without forking over more cash. And don’t get us started on the gaps in dental, vision, or critical illness support when heart attacks, cancer, or kidney failure strike.
America First Healthcare flips the script. As a proud advocate for private solutions over government intervention, they craft custom plans that slash costs by 20% compared to traditional options. We’re talking comprehensive coverage that includes:
- Preventative and Wellness Care: Physical exams, screenings, and EKGs covered right away—no waiting games.
- Telemedicine Access: Virtual doctor visits anytime, anywhere, for that peace of mind.
- Accident and Critical Illness Protection: Real safeguards against life’s curveballs.
- Add-On Boosts: Dental, vision, disability, and supplemental plans to plug every leak.
Whether you’re an individual stepping off your parents’ plan, a growing family with kids in tow, or a small business owner tired of employee headaches, their tailored approach fits like a glove. Small businesses? Unlock group benefit rates usually reserved for corporate giants—without the red tape.
And for those in-between moments? Short-term insurance steps in as an ultra-affordable bridge, while life insurance ensures your loved ones are never left vulnerable.
Real Americans, Real Wins
Don’t just take our word for it. Thousands of freedom-loving families have already ditched the old system for America First. “Finally, insurance that aligns with our values and actually saves us money,” shares one client. Another raves, “Our small team got big-business perks without the hassle—it’s a game-changer.” These aren’t scripted lines; they’re the voices of patriots who’ve reclaimed control over their health destiny.
Your Move: Secure Your Shield Today
Why settle for less when you can demand better? America First Healthcare isn’t about profits—it’s about powering the American dream with reliable, value-driven protection. Plans are available year-round, no open-enrollment nonsense.
Ready to uncover the gaps in your current setup and lock in savings? Schedule your FREE healthcare review today at America First Healthcare. In under 15 minutes, their experts will map out options that fit your life, your budget, and your principles.
America First isn’t just healthcare—it’s a declaration of independence. Join the movement. Your family’s freedom starts now.