'Never heard of him': Internet mocks Ryan Binkley as longshot GOP presidential hopeful suspends campaign

AUSTIN, TEXAS: In a move that surprised few in political circles, longshot Republican presidential hopeful Ryan Binkley announced the suspension of his campaign on Tuesday.

Binkley, who failed to garner more than 1% of the vote in any early state contest, made the decision to bow out of the race, leaving only Donald Trump and Nikki Haley as the remaining contenders for the GOP nomination.

Binkley's decision to quit and endorse Trump

The 56-year-old Texas pastor and businessman, in a statement, expressed gratitude to his supporters, acknowledging the uphill battle his campaign faced.

“Today, I am suspending my campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America and offering my endorsement and unwavering support for President Trump. I would like to thank my family, friends, campaign team, 80,000 plus financial supporters, and the hundreds of volunteers who helped share my vision,” Binkley wrote on X.

“Throughout my campaign, I have seen our party struggle to find a place for a new vision while weighing the corrupt allegations and indictments against President Trump. He will need everyone’s support, and he will have mine moving forward,” Binkley added.

Despite outlasting prominent candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), and former Vice President Mike Pence, Binkley struggled to gain traction, entering the race in April with a platform centered on unifying the nation and addressing critical issues such as the border crisis, economic revitalization, healthcare reform, and energy independence.

Despite his efforts, Binkley's campaign failed to gain momentum, with the candidate spending over $8 million of his personal funds but receiving minimal support at the polls. In Iowa, Binkley garnered 0.7% of the vote, followed by less than 0.1% in New Hampshire and South Carolina. His best performance came in Nevada, where he secured 0.9% of the vote, the New York Post reported.

Social Media Reactions

Social media reactions to Binkley's exit from the race varied, with some saying they had no idea who he was.

"I don't even know who this is," one posted on X.

"Doesn’t ring a bell," another wrote.

"Never heard of him," someone else added.

"Who the hell is he and when exactly did he sneak in to the race??" a comment read.

"Whoever that is, we thank him for his support," another reacted.

Analysis and Implications

With Binkley's departure, attention turns to the remaining contenders, Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, as they vie for the Republican nomination. While Trump maintains a strong base of support within the party, Haley's candidacy continues to garner attention, with recent primary results indicating potential challenges for both candidates in securing key swing states like Michigan.

While both President Joe Biden and Trump secured victories in their respective primaries in Michigan, there may be some challenges ahead. The presence of an "uncommitted" vote in Michigan’s Democratic primary signals potential backlash over Biden’s handling of international conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Despite Trump's significant win in the Republican primary, the notable support for Nikki Haley indicates lingering doubts among some Republican voters about Trump's candidacy for another term in the general election.

Haley's has been making the argument that her vote share reflects a vulnerability for the leading candidate in her party, especially after garnering 43 percent in New Hampshire and nearly 40 percent in South Carolina.

The outcome of the Michigan primary, being the last major contest before Super Tuesday, holds significant implications for the November general election, particularly in one of the few remaining genuine swing states in the country.

"Let this serve as another warning sign that what has happened in Michigan will continue to play out across the country," Haley's spokesperson, Olivia Perez-Cubas, remarked.

Despite expectations of strong showings in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Haley's performance in Michigan, coupled with polling data for upcoming Super Tuesday states, might suggest a waning appetite among voters for alternative candidates.