A new political attack ad against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recently been released by a super PAC encouraging him to run for president.[0] The ad features a clip of DeSantis saying, “You’re coming after the rights of parents; I’m standing in your way” before showing footage of empty pudding cups on a table with a voiceover saying, “Ron DeSantis loves sticking his fingers where they don’t belong, and we’re not just talking about pudding.”[0] The ad ends with the narrator saying, “Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off our money. Oh, and get this man a spoon!”[1]
The ad was released by the Never Back Down PAC and is the first national ad in support of DeSantis’ possible White House bid.[2] The ad has received criticism for its focus on DeSantis’ alleged pudding-eating habits rather than his policies. However, DeSantis has brushed off the criticism, saying, “For me, they’re talking about pudding, and I’m like, ‘Is that really the best you’ve got? Okay, bring it on!'”
DeSantis has not formally announced his intent to run for president in 2024, but he is widely expected to run for the Republican nomination. He has consistently been highlighted as Trump’s chief competition in the 2024 Republican primary.[3] However, recent polls show that Trump still has significantly more support among Republican voters than DeSantis.[4]
The ad from Never Back Down PAC is not the only attack ad aimed at DeSantis.[5] A super PAC supporting former President Donald Trump’s reelection released an ad mocking DeSantis for supposedly using his fingers to eat chocolate pudding during a private plane trip in 2019.[6] The ad states that “Trump promised NRA members he’d have their back… But when Second Amendment rights came under attack, Trump abandoned us and stood with liberal Democrats.”[7]
The ad from Make America Great Again Inc also received criticism for its focus on DeSantis’ alleged pudding-eating habits rather than his policies. However, the ad states that DeSantis supported cuts to popular retirement programs, in addition to mocking his pudding-eating habits.
Despite the criticism, DeSantis remains a popular figure among conservatives and a top pick for the 2024 Republican nomination. It remains to be seen whether he will officially announce his intent to run for president.
0. “DeSantis 2024 super PAC releases first video ad” FISM TV, 14 Apr. 2023, https://fism.tv/desantis-2024-super-pac-releases-first-video-ad
1. “Trump PAC launches DeSantis ‘pudding fingers’ attack ad” WETM – MyTwinTiers.com, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.mytwintiers.com/hill-politics/trump-pac-launches-desantis-pudding-fingers-attack-ad/
2. “Pro-DeSantis PAC drops ad criticizing Trump as ‘gun grabber'” msnNOW, 15 Apr. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pro-desantis-pac-drops-ad-criticizing-trump-as-gun-grabber/ar-AA19T8pw
3. “WATCH: Trump super PAC launches ‘Pudding Fingers’ ad attacking DeSantis” Washington Examiner, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/trump-super-pac-launches-pudding-fingers-ad
4. “Trump Group Hits ‘Pudding Fingers’ DeSantis In Latest Ad Attack” Forbes, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/04/14/trump-group-hits-pudding-fingers-desantis-in-latest-ad-attack
5. “DeSantis super PAC ‘Never Back Down’ makes first ad buy for 2024” Fox News, 13 Apr. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-super-pac-never-back-down-first-ad-buy-2024
6. “Donald Trump Mocks ‘Pudding Fingers’ Ron DeSantis In Puzzling MAGA Ad: ‘Get This Man A Spoon'” OK!, 14 Apr. 2023, https://okmagazine.com/p/donald-trump-mocks-pudding-fingers-ron-desantis-maga-ad/
7. “DeSantis PAC ad targets Trump comments about needing to ‘fight’ NRA ahead of his speech at NRA forum” Fox News, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-pac-ad-targets-trump-comments-about-needing-fight-nra-ahead-speech-nra-forum
