Donald Trump celebrated the remarkable cohesion within the Republican Party on Saturday night following the announcement of his victory in the state’s primary.
At precisely 7:00 p.m. EST, as the polls closed, the Associated Press declared Trump the winner, prompting his gracious address.
“In all my years, I’ve never witnessed a spirit quite like this,” Trump remarked during his fifteen-minute speech, emphasizing the unprecedented unity within the Republican Party.
Gratefully acknowledging his supporters, Trump singled out numerous officials present on stage while highlighting the milestones achieved during his historic primary campaign.
Notably, Trump’s speech of unity didn’t include any mention of Nikki Haley, who continued her candidacy in anticipation of a resurgence in her home state of South Carolina, where she had served two gubernatorial terms. However, it seemed evident that her aspirations were dimming as Trump’s momentum carried him closer to the general election.
“Mark your calendars,” Trump urged, emphasizing the significance of November 5th, a date he deemed pivotal in the nation’s history.
Contrary to his usual bombastic rhetoric, Trump’s remarks exuded a more conventional presidential tone, a departure from his earlier addresses during the South Carolina campaign and the CPAC event held earlier that day.
Yet, amidst the semblance of presidential decorum, Trump reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to his campaign, asserting, “We’re facing a nation in decline, but we won’t stand for it. We love our country, and we’ll fiercely defend it.”
Reflecting on his formidable track record in South Carolina, Trump boasted, “In South Carolina, we’ve set records with every primary and every election.”
With the victory potentially marking the end of Haley’s political journey, Trump’s focus shifted squarely to the looming November showdown, irrespective of his opponent, be it Biden or any other contender.
As he concluded his address, Trump urged his supporters to rest, signaling the arduous journey ahead.
Bradley Jaye serves as a Capitol Hill Correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.