The political drama between former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is escalating with both trading barbs as they gear up for the 2024 Presidential election campaigns.
Last week, Trump criticized DeSantis during an interview with Fox Business, saying “Ron DeSantis is a great guy, but I endorsed him and he took off like a rocket ship. He’s a governor who’s very good, but I also have many endorsements for other governors that are very good.”
In response, DeSantis held a press conference to highlight Florida’s efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the state’s economy. During the press conference, DeSantis criticized Trump’s handling of the crisis, saying that he had not done enough to get the pandemic under control.
“We’ve got to go forward with the best policies, and that means sometimes you’ve got to go against the grain,” DeSantis said. “That means sometimes you’ve got to take tough positions when it’s not the most popular thing to do.”
However, things took a sharp turn when DeSantis threatened to “destroy leftism” during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month. This threat drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who said that such rhetoric could incite violence.
During an interview with MSNBC, political analyst Mehdi Hasan said that DeSantis’ threat was “a classic example of far-right extremism that is increasingly becoming part of Republican politics.”
In a Bloomberg report, it was noted that Trump’s attacks on DeSantis could be an indication that he is looking for someone new for his 2024 Presidential campaign, as he has praised other Republican governors like South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
Meanwhile, DeSantis has been focused on his efforts to win the Republican primary election and become the party’s nominee for the 2024 Presidential election. He has been touting his successes as Florida’s governor, including his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and his efforts to protect the state’s economy.
Despite their differences and recent criticisms of each other, both Trump and DeSantis have maintained that they have a good relationship and that they are focused on working together to advance Republican policies.
As the 2024 Presidential election approaches, it remains to be seen how the dynamic between Trump and DeSantis will play out. But one thing is certain, both men will be key players in the Republican Party’s efforts to regain the White House.
