Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made headlines with his recent comments about former President Donald Trump and the future of the Republican Party. Speaking at the Florida Freedom Summit, DeSantis warned that it would be “fatal” for the GOP if Trump were convicted of a crime and became the party’s nominee for president in 2024.[0]
DeSantis, who is also running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, expressed his belief that he would be a better president than Trump.[1] However, he emphasized that he did not want to take “potshots” at Trump’s character and instead wanted to focus on his own qualifications and record as governor of Florida.
CNN anchor Kaitlin Collins challenged DeSantis on his stance, arguing that the character of the president matters.[1] DeSantis responded by saying that Trump’s popularity and name recognition were factors that made him a formidable candidate. He also pointed out that Trump was leading in the polls at the time.[2]
The comments from DeSantis come as he and Trump are both scheduled to speak at the Florida Freedom Summit.[3] While DeSantis will be speaking in the early afternoon, Trump has secured the keynote slot in the evening.[4] This has led to speculation about the dynamics between the two politicians and their respective ambitions for the 2024 presidential race.
The relationship between DeSantis and Trump has been a subject of interest in Republican circles. Trump’s influence in the state of Florida has been growing, with the former president securing the endorsements of most of the state’s Republican members of Congress.[5] Additionally, party leaders voted to remove a requirement that GOP presidential candidates support the eventual nominee, a move that was supported by Trump but not by DeSantis.[6]
DeSantis has also criticized Trump for not showing up and not putting in the work required for a presidential campaign. He accused Trump of reading off a teleprompter for 15 minutes and then leaving, while emphasizing the importance of showing up and engaging with voters.
Despite his criticisms, DeSantis has pledged to support Trump if he becomes the GOP nominee.[7] He believes that Trump’s popularity and name recognition make him a formidable candidate, even though he warned that a conviction of the former president would be “fatal” for the party’s chances in the general election.[8]
The comments from DeSantis have sparked discussions about the future of the Republican Party and the dynamics within the GOP. With Trump’s influence still strong and DeSantis positioning himself as a viable alternative, the 2024 presidential race promises to be an interesting one for Republicans.
In the coming months, it will be important to watch how DeSantis and Trump navigate their relationship and how their respective campaigns unfold. The Florida Freedom Summit serves as a preview of the potential clash between the two politicians, who both have their eyes set on the Republican nomination for president. As the race heats up, it will be fascinating to see how the Republican Party and its voters respond to the contrasting visions and styles of DeSantis and Trump.
0. “Ron DeSantis says it would be ‘fatal’ for Republicans if Trump is convicted and is picked as the nominee” Daily Mail, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12703541/Ron-DeSantis-says-fatal-Republicans-Trump-convicted-picked-nominee.html
1. “Wow, Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis somehow managed to out-embarrass himself in another awful TV interview” Queerty, 27 Oct. 2023, https://www.queerty.com/wow-ron-dont-say-gay-desantis-somehow-managed-to-out-embarrass-himself-in-another-awful-tv-interview-20231027
2. “Blow to Ron DeSantis as more key Florida backers switch to Trump” The Guardian US, 4 Nov. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/04/ron-desantis-campaign-supports-swith-trump
3. “DeSantis backers seem scarce at Trump-dominated GOP Summit in Kissimmee” Orlando Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2023, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/11/04/desantis-backers-seem-scarce-at-trump-dominated-gop-summit-in-kissimmee
4. “DeSantis, Trump to take center stage at Florida GOP summit in meeting of 2024 candidates” FOX 13 Tampa, 3 Nov. 2023, https://www.fox13news.com/news/desantis-trump-to-take-center-stage-at-florida-gop-in-meeting-of-2024-candidates
5. “Trump is aiming to take over Ron DeSantis’ base of power in the Florida GOP” Yahoo! Voices, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-gunning-over-ron-desantis-002351571.html
6. “Trump vs. DeSantis: Former president launches charm offensive in Florida – POLITICO” POLITICO, 3 Nov. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/03/trump-2024-campaign-florida-republicans-00125218
7. “Ron DeSantis Tells MSNBC A Trump Conviction Would Be ‘Fatal’ For Republicans In 2024” Forbes, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2023/11/02/ron-desantis-tells-msnbc-a-trump-conviction-would-be-fatal-for-republicans-in-2024
8. “Will Ron DeSantis back Donald Trump in 2024 amid legal woes?” Hindustan Times, 3 Nov. 2023, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/will-ron-desantis-back-donald-trump-in-2024-amid-legal-woes-florida-governor-weighs-in-101698972407283.html
