Trump welcomes Scott into GOP primary: 'Good luck'

Former President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott to the Republican Primary after he formally kicked off his campaign.

Trump wished his political rival good luck and celebrated his past work with the South Carolina senator, which he touted as "highly successful."

"Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!"

Scott entered the race with an average 1.8% support in the RealClearPolitics polling average. Trump stands far ahead with 56.3%, while Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis stands in second place with 19.4%.

DeSantis has not officially declared his candidacy but is widely expected to soon do so, and the Florida governor has attracted most of Trump's attention throughout the campaign cycle thus far.

The South Carolina senator, in his Monday announcement, appeared to take a jab at Trump, however, seemingly referencing a campaign ad from the former president that termed the U.S. a "nation in decline."

"Our nation is not a nation in decline. But under Joe Biden, we have become a nation in retreat," Scott said.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.