MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Monday officially threw his support behind presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump just months after accusing the billionaire real estate mogul of using racist, misogynistic, and offensive language throughout his campaign.
“So, he will be the one that I support, and I will do whatever I can to help,” Bentley told Raycom Media.
The embattled governor had previously supported John Kasich, calling him ” a leader whose readiness to lead our nation on his first day in the Oval Office is unmatched.
“America needs John Kasich,” he continued, “and I am going to do everything I can to help make sure he is our next President.”
Bentley was also fiercely critical of Trump throughout the Republican primary.
“Here is a man who has, with his rhetoric, disregard and disrespect for women, for minorities, for people who have disabilities,” Bentley said, adding that Trump “would make fun of people who possibly had cerebral palsy or other problems.”
But Bentley saved his most pointed criticism of Trump for his failure to disavow support he received from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
“Obviously, he must have thought David Duke and that type of person was okay with people in Alabama and in the South,” said Bentley. “I’m going to tell you they’re not okay with us. They’re not okay with me as governor.”
Trump, who is typically quick to send press releases any time a notable elected officials endorses him, has not to this point publicly acknowledged Bentley’s support.
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