SC Gov. McMaster makes trip to Mar-a-Lago to visit with former President Trump
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster made a trip to Mar-a-Lago last week to meet with former President Donald Trump, though a schedule listing the governor’s recent travel schedule did not indicate what the two discussed.
McMaster met with Trump about 30 to 45 minutes. The governor declined to discuss specifics about his visit, which took place in the late afternoon of Feb. 1.
“I’ve been trying to accept invitations to go see him for some time and it’s first time I’ve been able to do it,” McMaster said. “We’re just catching up.”
The two men have had a good relationship since Trump first ran for president in 2016 —unlike other Republican governors who have found themselves caught in Trump’s crosshairs.
McMaster, when he was lieutenant governor, was the first statewide official in the country to endorse Trump for president. Trump later appointed former Gov. Nikki Haley to be ambassador to the United Nations, allowing McMaster to ascend to the governor’s office.
McMaster is running for reelection this year in the reliably Republican state with Trump’s endorsement.
Trump also backed McMaster in 2018 when the governor had a primary challenge that led to a runoff election against John Warren.
McMaster’s visit with Trump occurred the same day Haley visited the State House. Haley met with McMaster and Republican leaders to discuss how she can help the GOP during the 2022 elections.
The timing of the meetings was coincidental, the governor’s office said.
Trump and Haley, both potential 2024 presidential candidates, have been at odds with each other, particularly after the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. Haley criticized Trump after the Capitol riot, which was preceded by a Trump rally, saying the former president let the country down.
Trump fired back in an interview with Vanity Fair.
“Well, every time she criticizes me, she uncriticizes me about 15 minutes later,” he told the magazine.
Haley has said she won’t run for president if Trump decides to run again.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 1:01 PM.
