Former President Donald Trump once again voiced his disapproval of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his Republican competitor, during a recent political event in Pennsylvania. These remarks have sparked significant controversy among conservative circles, with some individuals urging Trump to adopt a different approach.
Trump campaign staff: These non-stop attacks on DeSantis aren't having the effect we hoped. They're driving our supporters over to DeSantis. Maybe we should try something different.
— Conservativa Politica (@ConservativaPol) July 9, 2023
Trump: Say no more. I've got this.
Also Trump: DeSantis is a son of bitch. And he's…
Grabien reported Trump’s comments. Speaking of his support to DeSantis by leading rallies in Florida, Trump said: “…I think two or three rallies, I think three big. big rallies, thousands and thousands and thousands of people and they came out. I said, ‘You know, you’re going to win.’ And he ended up winning.”
Trump continued: “And then about three years later, they said to him, ‘Will you run against the president?’ And he said, ‘I have no comment on that.’ I said, ‘He has no comment? That means he’s running.’ I said, ‘That son of a bitch is running!’ I got him elected. So, no, I’m not a big fan of his and he’s highly overrated. He’s highly overrated.”
Trump’s contentious remarks referred to a disputed poll from several months ago and made mention of an ongoing FBI investigation regarding DeSantis’s handling of government records.
Trump’s criticisms of DeSantis have triggered the support of various conservative commentators who have rallied to defend DeSantis.
“DeSantis has done a terrific job in Florida,” said Matt Walsh, a popular host at the Daily Wire. “He has delivered on policy and struck a chord with the cultural conversation.”
According to The Daily Wire, Trump’s criticism of DeSantis is not a recent development. In recent months, Trump has referred to him using various derogatory nicknames such as “Meatball Ron,” “Ron DeEstablishment,” “Shutdown Ron,” “Ron DisHonest,” “DeSoros,” and “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
While DeSantis initially remained unaffected by Trump’s attacks, dismissing them as mere “white noise,” last week the governor responded with an advertisement that raised doubts about Trump’s conservative credentials.
DeSantis anti Trump LGBTQ ad. pic.twitter.com/38aZOPbnLn
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) July 7, 2023
In a September 2022 article, The Washington Post revealed Trump’s accusation that DeSantis lacked gratitude and loyalty towards him despite his support. Trump expressed confusion and stated, “He’s ungrateful… I don’t understand what happened here. I don’t understand why he doesn’t appreciate me more.”
Contrary to Trump’s claim, DeSantis praised Trump in his autobiography titled “The Courage to Be Free.”
“In late 2017, I asked the president if he would be willing to send out a tweet touting me as a good candidate for Florida governor. He seemed amenable, but at the same time I was not holding my breath; the president has a lot on his plate, and this was not likely to rank high on his list of things to do.”
“About a week later, a Trump tweet appeared: Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader, Yale and then Harvard Law, who would make a GREAT governor of Florida. He loves our Country and is a true FIGHTER.”
Trump, along with several of his advisors, has voiced skepticism regarding DeSantis’s preparedness for the presidency, recommending that he remain in Florida. Despite the numerous criticisms, Trump, who currently resides in Florida, admitted to casting his vote for DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
