Marco Rubio explains his logic in backing Trump on Wednesday. Rubio explains his logic in backing Trump

Marco Rubio has deep reservations about Donald Trump’s policies and the way he’s conducted his campaign, but the Florida senator will support him over Hillary Clinton this fall, he explained on Wednesday, because he signed a loyalty pledge to support the nominee.

“You were very explicit during your campaign about some of your concerns. You said he was an embarrassment, you said you were fearful at the prospect of his hand on the nuclear code, you said he wasn’t a Republican, not a conservative, that he would lose to Hillary Clinton,” NBC “Today’s” Savannah Guthrie told Rubio. “I know you want to stick by your pledge, but are you exalting that piece of paper over these fears you say you still have for the country with Donald Trump as the nominee?”


“Yeah,” Rubio responded. “Sure, but the only other choice then would be to vote for Hillary Clinton or to abstain, both of which would be supportive of her, and I have even more policy differences with her and I’m even more scared about her being in control of the U.S. government and continuing the status quo of Barack Obama’s policies.”

Rubio suggested that his support will go no further than standing by his pledge to support the nominee, explaining that although he doesn’t want to be in the position of having to choose between Trump and Clinton he will respect the voters’ decision.

“In terms of what I intend to do throughout the campaign, I would just say that I think Donald Trump would be best served by having people out there working on his behalf that agree with him on these public policies and are enthusiastic about his campaign and enthusiastically support the things he has stood for,” Rubio said.

Asked if he wanted Trump to win and hoped “in his heart of hearts” for a President Trump, Rubio demurred. “Look, again, all of the policy differences I have with him remain. All of the reservations I have about his campaign remain,” Rubio said. “I clearly didn’t want us to be in the position we are in today.”

“Donald Trump is the only other choice on the ballot,” he added, reiterating his disdain for Clinton. “I recognize that. I have a pledge to support the nominee on top of that and I intend to keep it.”

Despite also signing the pledge last fall, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham have said they won't vote for Trump in November.