By Amanda Brucculeri
Boston University News Service
NASHUA, N.H. – On the night of the Republican primary election, the Sheraton Hotel in Nashua was brimming with voters eager to see former President Donald J. Trump take the GOP victory in New Hampshire. The former president was up against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, with polls predicting that Trump would take the lead.
Energy was high as voters eagerly awaited entry to Trump’s post-primary party, with the line going out the front entrance of the hotel and into the parking lot at just 5:30 P.M., two hours before Trump was set to speak. Out front, a school bus turned merchandise shop sold all sorts of Trump memorabilia: bedazzled “FJB” hats, various MAGA shirts and baby onesies that said “Trump 2024.”
At around 6:15 P.M., former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy arrived, garnering shouts of support from the still forming crowd. Ramaswamy later joined Trump on stage at the party, giving a short speech in support of the former president.
“What we saw tonight is America first defeating America last,” Ramaswamy said in his speech. “If you want America last, you can go to Joe Biden, you got another candidate still, apparently, in the Republican primary.”
A few minutes before Trump was set to speak, former Representative George Santos was spotted entering the party. Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives this past December, following his indictment in May by federal prosecutors on multiple charges.
As results rolled in around 8 P.M., press and supporters alike gathered around the television in the hotel lobby. Voters cheered as it became clear that Trump had easily defeated Haley. Soon after, Trump took the stage inside the party, delivering his victory speech.
Spirits were high as supporters trickled out of the hotel once the party commenced, and many could be seen rejoicing with one another. Former New York City Mayor and Trump’s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani was also spotted among the crowd, calling Trump “one of his best friends.”
“We won New Hampshire three times now, and we win it every time,” Trump said. “We win the primary, we win the generals. We’ve won it and it’s a very, very special place to me, it’s very important.”
