DeSantis promises to support Republican presidential nominee in 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a Republican National Committee loyalty pledge to support the Republican presidential candidate in 2024, should he lose the primary.

Former President Donald Trump, perceived as the clear frontrunner, declined the pledge.

The pledge, released by DeSantis’ campaign Wednesday, notes that DeSantis and any candidate who signs it can only appear in primary and general election debates sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, in addition to pledging to support the party’s eventual nominee.

Candidates who sign must also agree to not run as an independent or write-in candidate for president, and seek or accept the nomination from another political party.

DeSantis, Trump’s clear primary rival, pledging to endorse Trump if the former president wins the primary comes after comments in June indicating he will respect the “people’s decisions” and the “primary process.”

The first GOP primary debate takes place in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, hosted by Fox News. It will begin at 9 p.m. ET, running for approximately two hours.

Trump, who has indicated multiple times he likely won’t debate, reinforced that belief Wednesday when he declined the pledge, a requirement to debate.

“I have a problem with the debate for another reason: I wouldn’t sign the pledge,” Trump declared. “Why would I sign a pledge? There are people on there that I wouldn’t have, I wouldn’t have certain people [as president].”

“So, they want you to sign a pledge, but I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president,” he continued. “So, right there, there’s a problem.”

On debating, Trump said he’s pondered to himself, “What’s the upside?”

“Am I going to go at one point? But they could go up, you know,” he said. “They’re not dumb people, they’re senators, they are governors, they’re intelligent people. You have some very good people.”

Trump had recently hinted at not debating, saying he could watch from afar to contemplate if any of the given candidates on stage could be his vice president pick.

“Let them debate so I can see who I MIGHT consider for Vice President,” he taunted on social media last month.