BREAKING: Senator Mike Lee makes surprise endorsement of Donald Trump days before Iowa caucus

"The American people have a choice to make," Lee said, noting that it is a historical opportunity to choose between two presidents. In Lee's view, America first is the way to go.

"Donald Trump has kept his promises," he said. And said that Trump was the man to get behind.

"I wholeheartedly endorse Donald Trump in his bid for the presidency in 2024."

"Whether you like Trump or not, Americans face a binary choice," Lee said in a post on X a short time later. "Biden refuses to enforce our border, prosecutes his opponents, & embraces policies that make life unaffordable for hardworking Americans."

"I'll take the mean tweets," he added. "I choose Trump."

The four remaining presidential contenders for the GOP ticket, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy have been campaigning for weeks. Trump has been consistently in the lead, with polls showing him up to 60 points ahead of the remaining three candidates.

DeSantis has been a steady second to former President Donald Trump, though recently his second place spot has been threatened by Nikki Haley. DeSantis, who was endorsed by Trump in his run for Florida's governor, has distanced himself from Trump.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Lee have been allied in the past. After DeSantis debated California Governor Gavin Newsom, Lee was outspoken in saying that DeSantis "cleaned the foor" with Newsom. As for Newsom, Lee said that was "a singularly unlikable guy."

In the spring of 2023, DeSantis travelled to DC to meet with Republicans on Capitol Hill. DeSantis' goal at the time was to shore up support among his peers in DC. Only two members of the House GOP endorsed DeSantis at the time, Texas' Chip Roy and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

DeSantis endorsed Lee for Utah senator in 2022, launching a campaign ad on behalf of Lee. In it, he slammed Lee's opponent Evan McMullin, an indepdendent, saying "He’s no independant, he’s a donkey in sheep’s clothing. He’ll be a vote for Biden not for Utah."

This is a breaking story and will be updated.