While Republicans are doing their best to show a unified front hours before the midterms, former President Donald Trump criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Saturday night. DeSantis is widely considered the only Republican who could potentially keep Trump from becoming the party's presidential nominee in 2024.
Trump referred to the popular governor at a Pennsylvania rally as “Ron DeSanctimonious.” While the former president hasn't uttered the nickname in public before, Roger Stone, one of Trump's closest confidants and a notorious DeSantis frenemy, has used the unflattering sobriquet on the social networking service Telegram.
Fox News has more on the fallout:
“DeSantis is an extremely effective conservative governor who has had real policy wins and real cultural wins. Trump isn't going to be able to take this one down with a dumb nickname. He better have more than that up his sleeve,” wrote Matt Walsh, a commentator at The Daily Wire and a leading voice among social conservatives.
“Also, nice job launching your public attack against the most popular conservative governor in America three days before the midterms when we're all supposed to be showing a united front,” he added.
Other influential conservatives couldn't hide their frustration.
“What an idiot,” wrote Rod Dreher, a senior editor at The American Conservative. “DeSantis is a far more effective leader of the Right than Trump was, if, that is, you expect a leader to get a lot done, rather than just talking about it and owning the libs.”
President Trump is hosting a rally in Miami tonight for Sen. Marco Rubio. Gov. DeSantis wasn't notified about the event before the former president's announcement. Sources close to DeSantis say they were shocked. One well-known Republican called it “an elbow to Ron's throat.”
As American Liberty News previously reported:
The timing of the Trump and Rubio event means any campaign event DeSantis holds [Sunday] won't receive as much attention during the all-important final stretch of the 2022 midterms.
…
However, an adviser close to Trump said that the event isn't meant to take attention away from the Florida governor and is just part of a series of campaign stops scheduled for the former president.
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Reports have indicated there's friction between Trump and DeSantis over potentially going toe to toe in 2024 for the Republican nomination. Trump has strongly hinted at launching a third presidential campaign, but early polls have reported a distinct uptick in interest surrounding a DeSantis presidency.
Earlier this week, DeSantis split with Trump when he opted to endorse Colorado Senate candidate Joe O'Dea who the president previously referred to as a “stupid person with a big mouth.” Trump said DeSantis' endorsement was a “BIG MISTAKE” in a message to his Truth Social followers.
“There's this RINO character in the Great State of Colorado, Joe O'Dea, that is running against the incumbent Democrat for the United States Senate, who is having a good old time saying that he wants to “distance” himself from President Trump, and other slightly nasty things. He should look at the Economy, Inflation, Energy Independence, defeating ISIS, the Strongest EVER Border, Great Trade Deals, & much more, before he speaks. MAGA doesn't Vote for stupid people with big mouths. Good luck Joe!” Trump shared in a TRUTH Social message.
This story is developing. Stay with American Liberty News for the latest updates.
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This is really disappointing…Trump’s desire to be divisive even within his own party is NOT beneficial to this country. If he really believes in MAGA, it’s time for him to step aside for a more effective, inclusive, and high-integrity leader. DeSantis can finish what Trump started more effectively than Trump can. DeSantis will win easily as few hate him. Trump could very well lose to Newsom…if he cares, don’t risk it…get over that ego!!
BAAAAlony! DiSantis would makes Trumps re-election as his VP making the democRAT’s know they are becoming extinct, IN 2024!
Too early to worry about ’24. Sad to think Trump’s got any problem with DeSantis, but no one has asked him what he meant by that. Maybe nothing. Given we’ve seen Obama win twice, when the first time was bad enough, but then we ended up with Biden. Even if the election was stolen, as I believe it couldn’t have turned out like this any other way, there’s still way too many people who actually think any Dem is better than any Republican. Look at all the incredibly low intellect Dems now in office throughout the nation. This means anybody can lose to the worst Dem because we’ve seen it happen over and over again.
Never stop preaching the truth. Engage with leftist friends and pressure them to defend their candidates and the policies they propose and enact. Never take anything for granted. It’s how we got here.
To me It didn’t read like Trump was finding fault with DeSantis. And just what’s wrong with him not agreeing with DeSantis. They’re opponents. They seem to be opposing each other in an honorable manner and that’s a damn site more than the so-called democrats are doing with their name calling, insults and fraudulent elections. In my opinion the biggest problem Trump had when elected was he felt he was dealing with honorable people. The socialists – fascists might be a better name, posing as democrats really proved him wrong. In spite of all the crap he had to endure, unlike Biden, he did a very good job FOR the people and not TO the people the way Biden is doing.
When you criticize your fellow conservatives, you’re no better than Hillary, Joey or Sunny Hostin.
Shame on Trump. By dividing the Republican Party, he is no better than McConnell or Cheney. I’ve been a Trump supporter for two elections. If this BS continues, I’ll be supporting DeSantis. So Trump, please don’t be sanctimonious and play nice with the party..
Don’t know that I’m ready to say he’s dividing anybody. No one has asked him what he meant by that. No one should be complaining until his meaning is presented. Barring that, we’d just be dividing ourselves.
Trump needs too simply shut up.
What did he mean by that comment and when did he explain it? Trump won’t shut up because that’s not how he rolls. But there’s no excuse for not asking him to explain himself.
AS I keep on stating – the repukicants know more ways to screw up a one horse parade, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What are you doing about it? Are you seeking an explanation from Trump about his comment? Don’t whine about how bad the GOP is if you’re not constantly and directly making known to them what you think.
This must be a democRAT loving website.
I haven’t seen anyone ask Trump what he meant by that appellation. I don’t believe his smarts include the nuances of language. Maybe he does indeed have a problem with DeSantis having such strong popularity. I would like to see them both indicate each would support the other if the other was drawing more support from the people. I would like to see that from all conservatives toward other conservatives with whom they may contesting for the same position. If DeSantis runs for another term as governor, I don’t think he’ll quite that job to then run for president. But if he doesn’t run for governor, then I think it would means his eyes are on the presidency. I wouldn’t get to bent about Trump speaking less than affectionately toward DeSantis. I’d wager DeSantis won’t.
He better watch out. This is no way to unite. Get your panties out of a wad and just do it. Do not go against someone who is doing a great job. Dial it back Don.
President Trump better start making nice with Ron DeSantis! How Juvenile! We finally start building a strong network of true Patriotic Constitutional Conservatives and he starts attacking to protect his own ego. President Trump sacrificed a lot to get us this far, but he made A LOT of bad personnel judgements in the past and now he’s doing it again! Back off and build a STRONG UNITED FRONT!! There is plenty of room for many great generals in this militia that is building into a great army to battle a great evil! LEAD BY UNITING…NOT DIVIDING!!!