Former Vice President Mike Pence has dropped out of the 2024 Republican presidential primary race, citing the challenging nature of the competition and acknowledging that it’s not his time.
According to a report by Newsweek on Sunday, October 29, 2023, Pence, who struggled to gain traction among likely Republican voters, made the announcement during his speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition Conference in Las Vegas.
Pence’s departure from the race has triggered a wave of reactions, especially on social media, where supporters of former President Donald Trump celebrated the news.
Notably, Trump himself responded during a speech in Las Vegas, suggesting that Pence should endorse him. Trump stated, “I chose him, made him vice president, but people in politics can be very disloyal.”
The strained relationship between Trump and Pence has been evident, with Trump previously criticizing Pence for his stance on the 2020 election.
Pence, who remained steadfast in upholding the constitution over Trump’s demands, now faces a decision on whether to endorse his former running mate.
ALSO READ: Donald Trump vows to reinstate travel bans on Muslims if voted president
In response to Pence’s withdrawal, Trump remarked, “Everybody that leaves seems to be endorsing me. You know people are leaving now, and they’re all endorsing me. I don’t know about Mike Pence; he should endorse me.”
“He should endorse me because I had a great successful presidency, and he was the vice president. He should endorse me.”
Pence, on the other hand, expressed gratitude after leaving the campaign trail, stating, “After traveling the country the past six months, it has become clear this is not my time.”
“As we leave this campaign, we do so with grateful hearts. I will always be grateful for the opportunities my family and I have been given to serve this country.”
While Pence has not yet made a public statement regarding Trump’s suggestion that he should endorse the former president, Trump’s call for endorsements from former competitors has become a pattern in the current political landscape.