As the 2024 presidential election looms, speculation is rife about who will run for the Republican Party nomination.[0] One name that keeps popping up is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. While he has not officially announced his candidacy, he is widely expected to do so in the coming months.[1] However, DeSantis’s growing influence in Republican politics has seen former President Donald Trump turn his guns on his ambitions.[1] Trump has made it clear that he sees DeSantis as his only serious rival in polling and has already given him a variety of nasty nicknames.
DeSantis is limited in his criticism of Trump as he fears losing the unwavering support of Trump’s loyal followers, and engaging in a fierce confrontation with Trump would be ultimately futile for him.[2] DeSantis appears to be a combination of the past Republican candidates for presidency that Trump faced, specifically resembling the timid Marco Rubio and the slick Ted Cruz. He lacks the courage to fight back against bullying tactics, making him seem conventional and feeble.[2] Above all else, DeSantis appears to be confused.[2] Over the past eight years, we have witnessed the same expression on numerous Republican countenances.[2]
DeSantis has largely remained unresponsive to the criticisms of Trump.[3] Earlier this week, he stated that he was unaware of the intricacies involved in paying hush money to a porn star to ensure secrecy regarding a purported affair. This was in response to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into Trump, who may face criminal charges in the matter.[4] Despite this, he has actively been preparing for a campaign, touring the country to tout his book and his record as Florida governor, visiting Iowa and New Hampshire, laying out his foreign-policy vision and receiving endorsements from elected officials.[5]
However, Trump’s campaign plans to blacklist anyone who works on DeSantis’ book tour or for his possible presidential campaign.[6] Justin Caporale, who helps lead the former president’s advance team, has put out the word that anyone who staffed a recent DeSantis book tour will be considered “persona non grata.” Sources told RealClearPolitics that any individuals who worked with DeSantis on his recent book tour will be considered “persona non grata.”
While DeSantis hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, insiders say he has privately discussed his campaign plans “without any caveats that would suggest he’s still deciding.”[5] He has suggested that his decision to run would not be revealed until the Florida legislature adjourns in early May.[7] DeSantis hasn’t said much about his 2024 ambitions, repeatedly brushing off questions about whether he’ll seek the White House next year, though a formal decision is widely expected in late spring after the Florida state legislature closes out its annual session.[8]
Trump has previously endorsed DeSantis, but the former president said earlier this month that he “probably” regrets endorsing him.[9]
0. “DeSantis sharpens his attacks on political rival Trump” NewsNation Now, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/desantis-sharpens-attacks-trump/
1. “‘Executive guy’ DeSantis doesn’t want to be Trump 2024 running mate” The Guardian US, 24 Mar. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/24/ron-desantis-trump-running-mate
2. “Why Ron DeSantis Looks Like a Loser” The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2023, https://newrepublic.com/article/171344/ron-desantis-trump-loser
3. “DeSantis on possibly joining Trump’s ticket: ‘I’m probably more of an executive guy’” The Hill, 24 Mar. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3917201-desantis-on-possibly-joining-trumps-ticket-im-probably-more-of-an-executive-guy/
4. “Trump and DeSantis Rule Out Unity Ticket, to Nobody’s Surprise” Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-desantis-rule-out-2024-unity-ticket-1234703715/
5. “Has Ron DeSantis Announced His 2024 Candidacy?: Updates” New York Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/ron-desantis-announced-2024-updates.html
6. “Trump will block DeSantis staffers from ever working for him: report” Business Insider, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-block-desantis-staffers-ever-working-for-him-report-2023-3
7. “Trump Team’s DeSantis Obsession Is Telling | Opinion” Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-teams-desantis-obsession-telling-opinion-1789718
8. “DeSantis expresses confidence he could beat Biden” PIX11 New York News, 21 Mar. 2023, https://pix11.com/hill-politics/desantis-expresses-confidence-he-could-beat-biden
9. “DeSantis on possibly joining Trump in 2024: ‘I’m probably more of an executive guy'” Fox News, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-on-possibly-joining-trump-2024-probably-executive-guy
