Donald Trump is giving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis the silent treatment.
In what appears to be the latest signal of a rift between the two Republicans, Trump announced he plans to campaign for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio two days before Election Day, notably leaving DeSantis out of the event.
Trump's plan to hold a Nov. 6 rally in Miami shocked sources close to DeSantis who say the governor wasn't notified of the event prior to the former president's Wednesday announcement, according to Politico.
The timing of the Trump and Rubio event means any campaign event DeSantis holds that day won't receive as much attention during the all-important final stretch of the 2022 midterms.
“You've got the Sunday before Election Day totally hijacked by Trump parachuting in on Trump Force One taking up the whole day,” said a longtime Republican consultant who is close to the governor. “No Republican could go to a DeSantis event that day. None. And DeSantis won't be here? This is big.”
Another person who is influential in DeSantis' world said it was “an elbow to Ron's throat” and blamed Trump advisers.
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.
“This is an event President Trump is holding as part of a series of stops he is making for Republican Senate candidates,” the Trump adviser said. “It came after he and Senator Rubio spoke directly.”
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. (RELATED: Ron DeSantis to Stump for Trump-Endorsed Candidates as Democrats Fear His Rise to the Top)
The latest New York Times/Siena poll showed that among Republican voters choosing a 2024 Republican nominee Donald Trump still holds a commanding lead over other contenders (49%). Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailed behind Trump with 26% of voters siding with him.
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” is a message to his TRUTH Social.
“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.
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I DON’T SEE LIBERTY HERE. I SEE DIVISION.LIZ CHENEY-BOY SHE CHANGED A LOT. https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.YvO173XgNqxdIYu_YfrliwHaIp&pid=Api&rs=1&c=1&qlt=95&w=103&h=121 SHE BECAME AN ADVERB
TICKEETOCKEE.COM
Better still, Chaney will soon have the best possible title:. FORMER Senator.
Trump is an embacill, the Republicans will lose if they nominate him. DeSantis is the one to be nominated!
Please stop believing everything you read. Can’t you see there want to cause us to have friction within the party. #1 Trump has to come back four years to put us back on track where he left off. Than Desantis can have it for 8 yrs. Which will solidify our country even more. Desantis policies are what Trump started and he is doing a great job in Florida. We have to get rid of this socialist ideas. Or we won’t have a free country.
I don’t know if he’s an embacill but his motivation since the 2020 election has been revenge fueled by ego, which has resulted in poor candidates getting his endorsement. Many Republican failures will result
Well, I don’t want to give up on Trump, but this continued petulance is bothersome. Imagine if DeSantis were to lose for lack of his party’s leader’s support. That might end it for me.