Next week, as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) prepares to launch his presidential campaign, former U.S. President Barack Obama has once again slandered him on the social media platform Truth Social.
After months of speculation, DeSantis is expected to file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission the following week before meeting with GOP donors in Miami. A more official launch is expected in the governor’s birthplace of Dunedin, Florida, after Memorial Day, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation with the former president.
Trump, however, made it abundantly clear on Friday that DeSantis’ bid for the Republican presidential nomination does not concern him. “After five months of unsuccessful campaigning, it appears that Ron DeSanctimonious will shortly be entering the race. He has ZERO chance of succeeding, and MAGA will never forget!” Trump made a post to Truth Social.
DeSantis and Trump engaged in a vicious proxy conflict as the governor prepared to run for president. Both men have traveled to early-voting states in order to meet with GOP primary voters who could give them the boost they need to annihilate their opponent’s campaign in the upcoming election. In the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, super PACs supporting one candidate and denigrating the other have already been established with multimillion-dollar advertising budgets.
Trump seems to be increasing his criticism of the governor as DeSantis prepares to declare his candidacy.
In a video posted on Friday morning, Trump criticized DeSantis for requiring his support in his initial 2018 bid for governor. “Ron DeSantis struggled greatly in his primary campaign for Florida governor. According to polls, DeSantis was failing miserably. He trailed by an astounding 17 points. Then DeSantis was rescued by President Trump’s endorsement,” a voice-over said in the video before a clip of DeSantis expressing gratitude to Trump for the support.
More on this story via The Republic Brief:
“Unfortunately, instead of being grateful, DeSantis is now attacking the very man who saved his career. Isn’t it time DeSantis remembers how he got to where he is?” the voice-over continues. CONTINUE READING…
