Rick Scott says it’s Ron DeSantis’ ‘choice’ not to rally with Donald Trump
Rick Scott with Donald Trump. Image via AP.

Donald Trump Rick Scott
"That's a choice everybody makes."

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott did not take the bait when asked about the chilly dynamic between Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump.

Asked if DeSantis should appear at a rally Trump is holding next weekend in South Florida to support Marco Rubio, Scott offered a cool response.

“That’s a choice everybody makes,” Scott said. “I know (former) President Trump is trying to make sure we get a majority back in the Senate.”

Scott continued to veer away from the premise of the question until CNN host Dana Bash offered a follow-up, asking if Scott was “OK” with DeSantis’ absence.

“Oh yeah. It’s a choice he makes. Absolutely,” Scott said.

The cryptic response adds another layer to the story of the rally announced last week by Trump for “endorsed candidate” Rubio.

The former President announced that he will rally with Rubio at the the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition Center, an event in “support of endorsed candidate and special guest Senator Marco Rubio in Florida, where his 2022 endorsement record is currently undefeated, 19-0.”

“President Trump delivered a historic red wave for Florida in the 2018 midterms with his slate of endorsed candidates up and down the ballot and molded the Sunshine State into the MAGA stronghold it is today. Thanks to President Trump, Florida is no longer a purple state; it’s an America First Red State,” Trump’s press release added.

The Trump team press release alluded to the former President’s 2018 endorsements, and Ron DeSantis was the most significant (and seemingly regretted) of those bygone attaboys. Trump has for years claimed he made DeSantis, and that the Governor was not sufficiently grateful.

The DeSantis-Trump dynamic isn’t the only frayed one in Florida politics, meanwhile. Scott and DeSantis also have a chilly dynamic. They did not appear in the same segments during a recent Hannity “town hall” featuring both candidates, and Scott complained that DeSantis never got back to him after Hurricane Ian.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


19 comments

  • James R. Miles

    October 30, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Even DeSatan is smart enough NOT to want to associate with the world’s biggest liar!

    • Jan

      October 30, 2022 at 11:57 am

      You must be kidding! Biden has won the lying contest hands down! he is the biggest one of all! Pay attention to the actions of our current president.and not what he says.

      • Charlie Crist

        October 30, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        Trump 40,000 lies in four years culminating in the big lie and 9-11 2.0. You fail…

        • John

          November 1, 2022 at 9:53 pm

          You are a crooked, opionated imbecile, Mr. Crist. You will y anything that would help your election campaign, and you. Will OT BE ELECTED,

      • Tom

        October 30, 2022 at 7:05 pm

        Yes Jan.

        Lie #1. USA has 54 states POTUS says, what is wrong with this mental moron?

        Lie #2. College tuition forgiven was passed by Congress. Another lie, no it was not.

        Lie #3. Gas was $5.00 when he was sworn in he says, No. it was $2.34.

        #4. Inflation wax 10% when he was sworn. No, it wax 1.4% when setoen in Jan 20, of 21.

        Liar, go eat some ice cream.

        • Charlie Crist

          October 30, 2022 at 9:35 pm

          👆 This guy is talking about “inflation wax.” I’ll actually be glad in a way if I lose the election. Floridians have de-evolved back into apes under DeSantis.

    • Kyle

      October 31, 2022 at 11:35 am

      You are an idiot wrapped in a moron!

  • Bill

    October 30, 2022 at 10:20 am

    Who would want to be seen in public with that fat sack of garbage (other than rick scott apparently)?

  • Ron DeSantis

    October 30, 2022 at 11:31 am

    Trump is a crook, a liar, and a poor performance artist, not to mention a silly fat ass. I played the game to rope in his stupid and deplorable base. Now that he’s shit canned, vote for me!!!

    • Alice

      October 30, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks for being honest Ron, finally.
      PS. How much did you have to pay to get on stage in Jacksonville?

      • Ron DeSantis

        October 30, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        $20,000

  • Mike

    October 30, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    DeSantis is smart enough to distance himself from the most corrupt pos potus ever. Caused so much damage to the country. tRumpy is so thin skinned and crazy he can’t hide his jealousy for DeSantis. Pick your poison . Both are narcissistic dictators. Both would lose nationally.

  • Fake Tom

    October 30, 2022 at 5:13 pm

    Tom Whack-O
    Tom Whack-On
    Tom Whack-Off

    • Tom

      October 30, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      You ate mental Joey corsin.
      Enjoy the red tide rising.

      • Fake Tom

        October 30, 2022 at 9:38 pm

        I ate a guy named Joey? Are you on pills or booze or meth. All three? Surely this isn’t helping your intellectual disabilities. Seek help for substance abuse and your disabilities.

        • Tom

          October 31, 2022 at 2:38 pm

          Are” mental Joey.

  • E. Ham

    October 30, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    DeSantis and Trump are like Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, both incurably evil but DeSantis is actually somewhat intelligent whereas Trump is a complete moron. Both wish to be a monarch with the power of life and death over every one in America. Neither really understands the type of Republic under which we live except DeSantis realizes that avoiding blatant lies is probably a good idea, but then goes ahead and lies like a rug.

    A pox on both their houses….

  • David In Shoreline

    October 31, 2022 at 12:42 am

    DeSantis 2024!

  • Lawrence

    November 1, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    DeSantis has been wise enough to stay away from Trump. Rubio, not so much. I remain convinced that Trump has always been about his personal ego and not what’s best for the country. Rubio is the same way, just a little less bombastic about it. How Rubio can continue to bend the knee to Trump is beyond me, but it tells me all I need to know about the man.

Comments are closed.


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