President Trump speculated that 2020 Democratic dropouts Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar might be angling for political appointments under a potential Joe Biden administration.
While departing the White House for North Carolina on Monday, Trump told reporters that the Democratic nominating contest is “rigged against Bernie [Sanders], there’s no question about it.”
“That’s called a quid pro quo, right?” he added after referencing Klobuchar and Buttigieg, in an apparent jab at those who accused him during his impeachment of withholding military aid to Ukraine in exchange for politically expedient investigations.
On Monday, the eve of Super Tuesday, Klobuchar ended her presidential bid, joining Buttigieg, who exited the race on Sunday. The two centrists are expected to endorse Biden in an apparent attempt to solidify his support and keep the nomination from Sanders, a self-avowed socialist who is leading in the polls.
On Tuesday, 14 states will cast ballots in what is the most important day of primaries. The states that will vote include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia, along with Democrats abroad, and caucuses in American Samoa.
Sanders is seen by many in Trump’s orbit as an easier general election opponent than Biden, who could win over centrist voters. The president has sent a number of tweets that seem to show support for Sanders, although the Vermont senator firmly rejected any “help” he might receive from Trump.
“They are staging a coup against Bernie!” Trump tweeted Monday afternoon.
They are staging a coup against Bernie!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020
