Jacob Ogles
Another one-time confidante of former President Donald Trump is ready to move on.
Steve Cortes, a senior advisor to Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns, will back Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. He just joined Never Back Down, the super PAC laying groundwork for a DeSantis presidential campaign, as an advisor and surrogate.
The former Newsmax host explained why he was changing camps in an op-ed published by Newsweek. He called DeSantis “the best possible option to win the presidency in 2024 and to govern as a highly capable, patriotic populist leader.”
After working for Trump over two presidential campaigns, Cortes said he did not make the decision lightly. But he suggested that the entire country hungers for a change. He pointed to recent polling showing most Americans would prefer neither Trump nor Democratic President Joe Biden run again in 2024.
“Despite these clear supermajority voter preferences, the Biden-Trump establishment insists on thrusting this dismal decision upon the people,” Cortes wrote. “In fact, both camps insist that a party-directed coronation should unfold, rather than competitive Primaries, with Biden and Trump both vowing to avoid meaningful debates with rivals.”
He also said populists within the Republican Party must recognize why voters delivered disappointing losses to the GOP across the country in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
“The days of Republican voters screaming from their couches in anger must end,” he wrote. “Without victory, our conservative agendas — however correct or well-formed — mean little.”
By contrast, he noted Gov. Ron DeSantis won in November by a landslide margin in a traditional swing state. That was done, Cortes said, by offering more disciplined messaging and attractive policies.
Never Back Down has recruited a number of individuals who previously advocated for Trump. Former Trump administration Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli launched the group. Erin Perrine and Matt Wolking, who each worked communications for Trump’s 2020 campaign, both now work for the DeSantis super PAC.
13 comments
Rob Desantos
May 9, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Has this guy even worked anywhere since he was forced out at Newsmax in 2021 for being an anti-vax freak? Great job Desanctus, another loser aboard your sinking ship.
Cherry Wood
May 9, 2023 at 3:43 pm
If we do not get someone in office to bring back the “Hippocratic oath”, doctor/patient relationship, and doctors right to prescribe pain meds etc., there won’t be a “free” Nation as anymore. The USA will fail. I’m not going to look at political parties when I vote now. I’m registered as “no party” now. This really is the most important area we need to fix first, because the medical system determines the direction a Nation takes: FREE, SOCIALIST, or COMMUNIST! My friends and I are looking only for the person who will vow to restore these areas in our Medical system first. Wise up politicians!
Dont Say FLA
May 9, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Bit of a stretch to say trump had any senior advisors in 2016, isn’t it? And the ones he did have in 2020, they totally failed. Good job Rhonda, garnering such strong backers LOL widdle wady man Rhonda is joke and everybody knows it. That is why the Florida legislature changed the Resign To Run law special for him, just so his spectacular loss will be legal. Now knowns as “Resign To Run Except Rhonda”
Elliott Offen
May 9, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Conservatives love the Trump train wreck AkA the Trump train to hell. They are low tax junkies and operate with the false belief that money trickles down. They’ll let Trump plunge the nation into chaos before they stop carrying water for the rich..obstructing and sabotaging government to benefit the rich is the GOP platform. There’s nothing else to it. Culture wars are the distraction.
ED CAVER
May 11, 2023 at 5:07 am
LOL Get your head out from under that rock.
The train wreck is now. i ahve to wonder about people who pretend they like paying high taxes. Trickl;e down. I like to call it ” the rising tide raise all boats.” A concept socialists just don’t get.They rather have a check in the mail that they don’t have to work for
Billy the Bamboozler
May 9, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Trump..He raped. He grifted. He lied. He tried to steal the election using a mob of retards. He was indicted. He was impeached.
Republican response: “Good to go for 2024!”
Earl Pitts American
May 10, 2023 at 6:43 am
Good morning America,
When I read the total misleading title to this piece of “newsey trash” I thought “at last a nationwide cameo article about me, Earl Pitts American”.
Imagine if you can, America, my, Earl Pitts American’s, disapointment to find out its about some insignifacant little mouse named “Stevie WeeWee Cortes”.
Give me a break America,
Everyone knows and loves me, Earl Pitts American, and nobody’s ever even heard of “Little Stevie WeeWee Pants Cortes”.
My Big ‘Ole Butt America I, Earl Pitts American, am Mad as #EII.
Thank you America,
And have an Earl Pitts American Day!!!!!
Desantis Desucks
May 10, 2023 at 10:53 am
Moving on….to a bigger loser.
Dont Say FLA
May 10, 2023 at 11:24 am
It is pretty strange that Rhonda’s entire campaign platform is exactly the same as Biden’s campaign platform: “I’m not Trump.”
Melody
May 10, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Cortez doesn’t address WHY there were losses in other States and Not Florida – the losses were due to the Voting Fraud – DeSantis didn’t all ballot harvesting, removed the machines, counted all Votes in one day. Unlike the losses whereas, took a month to count ‘found no signature Ballots’ used Machine, ballot harvesting – all State that allowed the Fraud – Republicans lost.
ED CAVER
May 11, 2023 at 5:00 am
He sites the mainstream media polls as proof Trump cannot win. The Wall St. Journal? Those are idiots are for open borders. WTF!
Some people enver learn.
Mel T
May 11, 2023 at 11:35 am
Cortez is done in the Republican Party. When trump wins he’ll be blackballed!!!
Cindy
May 12, 2023 at 12:35 am
Cortes will be a contributor on FOX News.
Comments are closed.