Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) for breaking his pledge to support the GOP’s eventual nominee.
“I understand, he took a — it was a very big defeat for him — he took a very big defeat and he went down hard. But he did sign a pledge and he didn’t honor the pledge,” Trump told WHIO of his former rival for the Republican nomination.
{mosads}”So I am disappointed, I am very disappointed, but I think the people of Ohio get it. We are leading in the polls and I have great respect for the people of Ohio. They understand what’s happening.
“But I’m very disappointed in the governor. He signed a pledge, he didn’t honor it. He took a big, he took a big defeat and he has not gotten over it.”
Kasich said last month that it was “very unlikely” that he would vote for Trump on Nov. 8, saying there was “too much water under the bridge.” He told MSNBC in June he’d break his pledge unless Trump had a “dramatic change.”
Trump has previously criticized former GOP rivals who have refused to endorse him, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also declined to endorse Trump for months, telling Republicans to “vote your conscious” during the Republican National Convention in July. Cruz reversed course last month and endorsed Trump.