Video: Romney reveals Trump card in race for nomination
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, newly endorsed by tycoon Donald Trump, and his wife Ann arrive at a campaign rally on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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Romney triumphs in Florida primary
Republican hopeful Mitt Romney wins a landslide victory in Florida, turning round his campaign to position himself as the strongest contender for presidential nomination.
He was lambasted last month for saying that he liked "being able to fire people". But last night Mitt Romney was due to unveil the backing of the man who has made his name doing just that -- Donald Trump.
Mr Trump, the property tycoon best-known for firing contestants on the American version of 'The Apprentice', endorsed the Republican presidential front-runner at a rally in Las Vegas.
Having declared last year that Mr Romney was "going to lose" the party's nomination contest because "he doesn't resonate", the man with the world's most infamous comb-over changed his mind.
"I will be making a major announcement today," he told his near-million Twitter followers before the event, at a Trump hotel.
Swayed
Two hours before his announcement in Nevada, he confirmed to reporters that he would be backing Mr Romney. He said he was swayed by Mr Romney's performances in the televised debates and his tough stance on China.
However, Mr Trump (65), who enjoyed widespread publicity last year by claiming that he was considering running for the party's presidential nomination himself, found time for one last stunt.
Late on Wednesday night, aides to Newt Gingrich, Mr Romney's main rival, said Mr Trump would in fact be endorsing their man. It is understood that Mr Gingrich told them this himself.
The tycoon was said to have "sent signals" to the former House Speaker that he would be throwing his weight behind his embattled campaign.
Asked to confirm the endorsement, Mr Gingrich would say only: "I don't know of anybody who does a better job of getting attention by announcing that he will presently announce something."
This turned out to be truer than Mr Gingrich appeared to know. Hours later, aides to Mr Romney began briefing that the backing of the man who likes to be called "The Donald" was actually theirs.
The decision came two months after Mr Romney torpedoed an attempt by Mr Trump to play an influential role in the Iowa caucus by declining to attend a debate the tycoon tried to convene.
Speaking in Nevada, Mr Gingrich tried to shrug off the snub, telling supporters "I like hiring people" and attacking Mr Romney's remark this week that he was "not concerned with the very poor".
"I believe we should care about the very poor, unlike Governor Romney," Mr Gingrich said.
Earlier, he accused his rival of "dividing Americans against each other" through his comments.
It is unclear whether Mr Trump's endorsement will help Mr Romney attract new supporters.
Polls last year indicated that about half of Republican voters viewed him favourably and half unfavourably.
However, it will be useful for him to ensure Mr Trump will not run as an independent candidate, a scenario that would probably aid Mr Obama by taking votes from the eventual Republican nominee.
Gary Howard, a spokesman to Ron Paul, the Texas congressman and presidential candidate, summed up the reaction of many to the news.
"Please explain to us why anyone would care," he said. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Jon Swaine in Washington
Irish Independent
