Conservative radio host and author Hugh Hewitt predicted on Wednesday that if more than one GOP presidential contender remains in the primary race heading into South Carolina and especially Florida, then former President Donald Trump will, for all intents and purposes, become the ’24 nominee.

During a Fox News segment, Hewitt weighed in on the 2024 presidential race and Ron DeSantis receiving the endorsement of Bob Vander Plaats in Iowa. While Vander Plaats has endorsed the winner of the last three Iowa caucuses, none of them were the party’s presidential nominee.

Hugh Hewitt: "But the reality is, if there is more than one contender come South Carolina or Florida then former President Trump has effectively won." pic.twitter.com/4aN6l6hB55

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“It is endorsement season. In fact, we had one on this show last night. Bob Vander Plaats in Iowa… Hugh, you speak with the American people every day. Do these endorsements move the needle?” host Mike Emanuel asked.

“Yes, they do in Iowa,” Hewitt said. “Bob Vander Plaats is probably the most influential non-elected political activist in the United States. Every time that there is a Republican primary there, combined with the governor there, that’s a big one-two punch for Governor DeSantis.

“But the reality is, if there is more than one contender among Governors DeSantis and Christie and Ambassador Haley come South Carolina or Florida then former President Trump has effectively won,” he added.

“They can’t go into Florida with more than one candidate and Mr. Ramaswamy doesn’t really matter in this calculation. If the field doesn’t consolidate I don’t see how Donald Trump isn’t the nominee,” he said.

A recent NBC poll, meanwhile, indicates that more young people (aged 18-34) support former President Donald Trump than for President Joe Biden.

The poll says that 46 percent of respondents in this age group would vote for Trump, while 42 percent would vote for Biden in a hypothetical general election matchup. Notably, Trump leads Biden 46 to 44 percent in the same hypothetical scenario.

The poll highlights dissatisfaction with President Biden’s handling of foreign policy, with only 33 percent approval. Specifically addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict, 70 percent of respondents aged 18-34 disapprove of Biden’s performance in managing the situation.

This trend is consistent with findings from other polls, such as those conducted by CNN and The New York Times/Siena, indicating a shift toward conservative views among young voters.