WEDNESDAY PDB – It is soon to be official, and Ron DeSantis intends to make a splash.
Florida’s conservative Republican governor will announce his U.S. presidential bid in an online appearance with Elon Musk on Twitter, placing him on a collision course with Donald Trump in the GOP primary.
Trump sees DeSantis as his top GOP rival.
But the field is getting crowded, which favors Trump. (RELATED: Quantity, Quality And History: Factors That Will Determine The Next President)
The decision to make the announcement on the site’s audio platform, Twitter Spaces, in a discussion with Musk, who has a dedicated fan base of his own, underscores DeSantis’ desire to win the loyalty of right-wing influencers as part of a larger bid to overtake Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination.
By going on Twitter to make the announcement, the 44-year-old Republican will seek to distinguish himself from the rest of the growing field, most of whom have made their entries in more traditional settings.
Opting to make his debut as a presidential candidate on Twitter is also a clear finger in the former president’s eye.
Before being banned from the social media platform in 2021 – prior to Musk’s takeover – Trump had used the site to lash out at enemies, air grievances and fuel his rising MAGA movement.
Now Trump uses his own Truth Social site.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories from national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:
NATIONAL SECURITY
Air Force looks to tighten access to classified data after intel leak. There are rules governing access to classified information, and they must be enforced, said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
CHINA THREAT
China and Russia, Targets at G7 Summit, Draw Closer to Fend Off West. Beijing and Moscow are holding visits this week as alarm grows in China that Western countries backing Ukraine are turning their attention to Asia.
How US farmland became a battleground in the fight against China. Chinese land purchasing is becoming a major issue as politicians at the state and federal level ramp up their fight against perceived threats from China.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Russia fights alleged incursion from Ukraine for second day. Russian troops and security forces fought against an alleged cross-border raid that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian military saboteurs but which Kyiv portrayed as an uprising against the Kremlin by Russian partisans.
Russia intercepts two US bombers over Baltic Sea. The Pentagon is downplaying a Tuesday incident, calling it “nothing significant.”
Arms flow 30% faster to Ukraine as US relearns Cold-War skills. Logisticians are honing techniques invented to keep the Soviet Union from seizing Europe.
Ukraine could begin training on F-16 jets in Europe this summer. American and European officials are still hashing out the details of who would send jets, instructors and other resources to support training.
IRAN THREAT
Air Force Warthogs patrol Middle East waters in response to Iranian actions. The A-10 attack aircraft known for close air support in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is seeing action in maritime patrols amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
SPACE THREAT
Intel agency mapping the moon to support future lunar navigation. The agency charged with mapping the Earth is laying the groundwork for a navigation system that would help visitors to the moon find their way around the lunar environment.
BIDEN’S AFGHAN DISASTER
US calls off aid program to Afghans amid persistent issues with Taliban. A $49 million American humanitarian program to aid Afghan war victims will close after five years, amid difficulties that arose after the chaotic U.S. retreat from the country.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Philippine defense officials tour new EDCA sites for US military forces. Philippine defense officials visited Palawan last week to inspect new sites that will host U.S. forces as part of the defense pact between the two countries.
Military sends away ships as Super Typhoon Mawar closes in on Guam. It is a crucial hub for U.S. forces in the Pacific, and the Department of Defense controls about a third of the island.
Sudanese stuck in war zone after U.S. destroyed their passports. The decision angered people left stranded. France also destroyed passports, while staff at the Chinese Embassy moved to return them.
US MILITARY
The Army is eying a new all-in-one proximity round for its 30mm chain guns. The Army’s new 30x113mm XM1223 Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst (MMPA) round is designed to counter threats from incoming drones.
The Air Force wants to load up the B-1B Lancer with more bombs than ever before. Hold me closer, tiny Lancer.
END of PDB
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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Lets do the Radical OK Yes good show Ron