GOP Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, is endorsing former President Donald Trump as the party’s nominee, his office confirmed to CNN. The backing from the South Dakota Republican, who has been critical of Trump, is the latest indication of the former president’s grip on the party as he barrels toward the nomination. Thune and Trump spoke on the phone Saturday night after the primary was called, and the senator told Trump he would be endorsing him, a source familiar told CNN. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking member of Senate GOP leadership, backed Trump just before the Iowa caucuses.

Source: CNN February 26, 2024 05:33 UTC