Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to announce his 2024 presidential bid during a Twitter Spaces event with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday evening.[0] The event will be moderated by tech entrepreneur David Sacks, a confidant of Musk and supporter of DeSantis.[1] Musk has garnered significant support among Republicans since taking over Twitter in November 2022, particularly from those who accuse social media companies of censoring conservative content and users.[2] DeSantis’ aides reportedly believe that Twitter has become an increasingly friendly space for conservative firebrands under Musk’s leadership, and that a partnership with the billionaire could offer a significant boost to DeSantis’ campaign.[3] However, aligning with Musk could also prove to be a burden should DeSantis become distracted by the tycoon’s controversial comments. DeSantis is expected to formally file his presidential paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday and put out a campaign launch video, with a kickoff rally to come later.[4]
0. “Report: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing run for president in discussion with Twitter CEO Elon Musk” WESH 2 Orlando, 24 May. 2023, https://www.wesh.com/article/desantis-president-elon-musk/43978756
1. “DeSantis plans to announce presidential campaign on Twitter” Axios, 23 May. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/05/23/desantis-launch-presidential-campaign-twitter
2. “Ron DeSantis to announce presidential bid in Twitter Space with Elon Musk” The Verge, 23 May. 2023, https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/23/23734728/twitter-elon-musk-ron-desantis-presidential-campaign-2024-announcement-spaces
3. “Report: Ron DeSantis Will Formally Announce His 2024 Bid With Elon Musk, Because Apparently David Duke Wasn’t Available” Vanity Fair, 23 May. 2023, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/05/ron-desantis-elon-musk-2024-announcement
4. “Donald Trump Megadonor Abandons Him as He Predicts Collapse in Support” Newsweek, 22 May. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/ron-desantis-donor-support-trump-2024-1801698
