In the world of politics, it’s no secret that rivalries and tensions can run high. And in the case of former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, those tensions are on full display. Trump has been taking jabs at DeSantis, a potential contender for the 2024 presidential race, during recent campaign events.
At a major state Republican Party dinner in Iowa, Trump warned GOP voters “not to take a chance” on DeSantis, who currently trails behind Trump in the polls.[0] The former president also used derogatory nicknames like “Ron DeSanctus” to mock the governor.[1] This was followed by another rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump continued to disparage DeSantis.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted DeSantis with insults. Throughout the campaign cycle, Trump has referred to the governor as “Ron DeSanctimonious.”[2] During the Iowa GOP’s Lincoln Dinner, Trump told constituents that he “wouldn’t take a chance on that one.”[2] However, DeSantis seems unfazed by these attacks, stating that he believes they actually help him with voters.[3]
“When he hits me with the juvenile insults, I think that helps me. I don’t think voters like that,” DeSantis said.[2] “I actually don’t mind it at all. I think it’s just a reminder why there are so many millions of voters who will never vote for him going forward.”[2]
DeSantis also pointed out that the fact that he is receiving criticism from Trump and other candidates shows that he is seen as a threat. “If you’re up by so much, you would not be worried about anybody else,” DeSantis told reporters.[0] “So the fact that I’m taking the incoming from all of these people shows that people know that I’m a threat.”[0]
Moving forward, DeSantis plans to highlight his policy differences with Trump.[0] He is expected to roll out his economic plans in a speech in New Hampshire, where he will start drawing sharper policy distinctions. This move is seen as a strategic effort to differentiate himself from the former president and establish his own platform.
Meanwhile, Trump seems determined to undermine DeSantis’ potential bid for the presidency. While speaking at a rally, Trump claimed that DeSantis would soon no longer be in second place and referred to him as a “very disloyal person.”[4] Trump also took aim at both DeSantis and President Joe Biden, using derogatory language to insult them.
Despite these attacks, DeSantis remains focused on his campaign and policy proposals. He questions whether Biden is actually running his own campaign or if his advisers are calling the shots.[5] DeSantis even went as far as questioning if the president “knows what the hell’s going on.”[5]
In the world of politics, rivalries and tensions are par for the course. And as the 2024 presidential race heats up, we can expect to see more clashes between candidates. For now, the battle between Trump and DeSantis continues to escalate, with each side vying for the support and attention of voters. Only time will tell how this rivalry will ultimately play out and impact the future of the Republican Party.
0. “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis targets former President Donald Trump for ‘not following through’ on promises” Fox News, 31 Jul. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-gov-ron-desantis-targets-former-president-donald-trump-not-following-through-promises
1. “DeSantis: Being insulted by Trump ‘helps me'” POLITICO, 31 Jul. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/30/desantis-trump-new-hampshire-00108932
2. “DeSantis says Trump’s ‘juvenile insults’ help him” The Hill, 31 Jul. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4128225-desantis-says-trumps-juvenile-insults-help-him/
3. “Trump refers to both DeSantis and Biden as “son of a *****”” Colorado Springs Gazette, 30 Jul. 2023, https://gazette.com/news/wex/trump-refers-to-both-desantis-and-biden-as-son-of-a/article_0273aaa5-eb6a-5819-9422-976f8c783efb.html
4. “Trump takes swipe at Republican rival DeSantis | HeraldScotland” HeraldScotland, 24 Jul. 2023, https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/viewpoint/23674255.trump-takes-swipe-republican-rival-desantis
5. “Trump refers to both DeSantis and Biden as “son of a *****”” Washington Examiner, 30 Jul. 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/trump-desantis-biden-son-of-a-b
