A.G. Gancarski
Former President Donald Trump continues to say Gov. Ron DeSantis won’t run against him in 2024 and can’t beat him if he does, while reminding voters DeSantis wouldn’t be Governor without Trump’s endorsement.
During an interview with South Florida radio host Brian Mudd, Trump offered his latest in a series of statements essentially claiming he made the Governor and DeSantis knows better than to run against him in 2024.
“I do think if I run, he won’t,” Trump said. “I know they try and create a friction. I don’t think it exists at all. It might, you know, you never know. If he wanted to run, that’s OK with me. I think we’d win by a lot. But he’s good. And he’s done a good job as Governor.”
Trump had previously said he thought DeSantis would “drop out” of any 2024 race if Trump got in.
Trump also offered a new detail on his 2018 DeSantis endorsement, with Trump finding new ways to explicitly take credit for DeSantis’ victory.
“When Ron came to me, he was at 3%. And he had no money. And he asked for an endorsement. And I actually, you know, wasn’t too thrilled because … you know, he was very good, he helped me with the (Bob) Mueller hoax, because we had many hoaxes, and he was on television a lot,” Trump said. “But people didn’t relate him doing that as Governor. So when he announced for Governor, people didn’t really know who he was.”
“So when Ron asked me for help, for an endorsement.” Trump added, “He was at 3(%), and 3(%) means you don’t have a chance. He went up like a rocket ship.”
Trump noted DeSantis’ chief primary opponent, Adam Putnam, told him the endorsement was “like a nuclear weapon went off.”
“We gave up, we didn’t spend our money, it was over,” Trump quoted Putnam as saying.
DeSantis has been coy when asked about 2024, calling the chatter about it “nonsense.”
“It’s way down the road. It’s not anything that I’m planning for,” DeSantis said during a Fox News Channel appearance this fall.
Despite DeSantis saying he’s not interested, prediction and betting markets have rated him consistently as the top non-Trump 2024 possibility for Republicans.
Trump’s comments on DeSantis are especially noteworthy in light of the former President continuing to work with adviser Susie Wiles, who was exiled from DeSantis’ orbit.
Wiles, a veteran political consultant who was key to Trump winning Florida in 2016, also is widely credited with being the architect of DeSantis’ defeat of Democrat Andrew Gillum.
DeSantis parted ways with Wiles soon after his election, a move that was controversial at the time but could have more meaning down the road. If there is a direct face off between DeSantis and Trump ahead of 2024, expect Wiles to have a unique perspective on how to maximize Trump’s leverage against his one-time political protege.
15 comments
Alex
December 6, 2021 at 11:44 am
Poor DeAnus.
He has to get reelected by a wide margin to have a good shot at it anyway, but in the meantime he has to lie to his followers about masks, vaccines, stolen elections and imaginary “freedoms” Trump pumped in his 1 term epic failure to keep them from turning on him in a blaze of stupidity.
I’m buying more popcorn.
Captain Howdy
December 6, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Gobble down that popcorn and choke on it, Arrogant Worm
Impeach Biden
December 6, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Yes Alex would still vote for Andrew Gillum given the chance. Even though Gillum has a drug problem and likes getting freaky with male prostitutes. All while hiding behind his family picture. What a guy. You must be proud.
Taylor Ward
December 6, 2021 at 1:53 pm
You are aware of the photographs of Ron Desantis as a teacher getting his underage students drunk, alone, at a student party.
I am assuming you read the statements from his ex-girlfriend?
Let’s not pretend that Ron Desantis is a hero, or even a good guy.
This is Florida and we can do better.
Wanda
December 7, 2021 at 11:31 am
Taylor Ward, you are lying through your teeth! DeSantis is a good honest man and you need to just sit down and shut up, it”s going to be a wild ride!
John Galtifer
December 7, 2021 at 11:34 am
If he was alone with them who took the picture, genius??
Bob
December 7, 2021 at 9:37 am
I’d vote for a peanut butter sandwich before I’d voter for either one of these morons.
William Perella
December 14, 2021 at 2:32 am
Add jelly and I will support your choice.
Wanda
December 7, 2021 at 11:35 am
We need to impeach all these idiots on here that love Trump and the Commie Democrats!
PeterH
December 6, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Two lying narcissistic wingnuts fight for the Republican buffoon crown.
John Doe
December 7, 2021 at 10:59 am
You are one dumb cunt!
Tom
December 7, 2021 at 7:54 am
Typical stupidity, hate and ignorance from the section that voted for Gilliam, druggie, panderer.
As if any of them know.
Yes, America’s Gov will win bigly in 22 Alex. 55% and counting.
No story with the ex girlfriend, what do ex’s say bout you Taylor? Peter h go play with your Elmo doll, idiot. U Racist, go light your tiki torches.
America’s Governor the best! Re elect first!
If #45 doesn’t run, Desantis better than 50/50 nominee.
FP Monitor
December 7, 2021 at 11:22 am
It’s a big mistake is to respond to anything Tom posts. He’s an ignorant Trumpster hack simply looking for attention. Do yourself and all of us a big favor. Ignore all of his return comments. Maybe the internet troll will go away.
oldbat
December 7, 2021 at 11:42 am
he can run as the vp and then take his own 2 terms. but then what would florida do 😛 i think that would be a winning ticket: trump/desantis
TJC
December 7, 2021 at 11:51 am
If Trump decides to run for prez again, expect him to select DeSantis as his running mate. That sets the much younger DeSantis up for a bid in 2028, so everyone gets happy. Trump’s ego comes first, DeSantis’s ambitions come second, and they both know that, we all know that. DeSantis would be crushed by Trump if he challenged him for the top spot — Trump loves to belittle and spew lies about anyone who “betrays” him, loves that even more than attacking Democrats. It’s his nature: paranoid, narcissistic, and sadistic.
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