Scott Powers
With reports that his political benefactor President Donald Trump considers him disloyal because of their differences on Puerto Rico death tolls, Ron DeSantis insisted Wednesday that nothing has changed between the two.
“I don’t think anything has changed. I think we’re good,” the Republican nominee for Governor said when asked for comment on reports Trump was upset with him.
DeSantis, in Ocoee Wednesday to discuss his education platform at a private Christian school, said he still expects Trump to campaign for him in Florida, though a POLITICO story Tuesday reported that insiders say the president was furious with the congressman, calling him disloyal for backing Trump’s claims that his political enemies are exaggerating Hurricane Maria death tolls.
Last week, DeSantis tweeted he saw no reason to dismiss estimates that nearly 3,000 people died in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the massive hurricane one year ago Thursday, as well as during the long recovery for much of the year in which parts of the island were without power, clean running water and health care services.
When asked if he thought Trump would still campaign for him, DeSantis replied with one word:
“Sure.”
He did not elaborate. And he was not asked and did not clarify from what point nothing had changed.
Trump’s endorsement of DeSantis, and his campaign event with him in Tampa in July propelled the Ponte Vedra Beach congressman far ahead of his Republican primary rival, Adam Putnam, and the agriculture commissioner never recovered. Throughout the primary campaign, DeSantis made a strong case that he and Trump stood together, touting that relationship as a central part of his campaign advertising.
In recent weeks, however, DeSantis toned down (if not turned off) discussion of his connection with Trump. For example, he selected Jeanette Nunez, once a fervent #NeverTrump Republican, as his running mate. And at the Republican Party’s big fall campaign kickoff rally two weeks ago in Orlando, DeSantis never mentioned Trump in his speech.
On Wednesday DeSantis also declined to say whether he recently spoke with Trump.
“That’s private,” he said.
One comment
Ray Tampa
September 19, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Cry baby Ron.
Hello no, WE DON’T NEED a cry baby in the Florida Governor’s Office. Trump spanked the clown for being disloyal.
The next time Trump lies about something, which will probably occur within the next 45 seconds, DeSantis knows he better go along with the lie or keep his mouth shut.
And this deranged man wants to be governor – wow, wow, wow.
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