Shortly after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) made his presidential announcement, the Trump family came out swinging against him. Gov. DeSantis, who steered clear from criticizing Trump in the months leading up to his reveal, now has no choice but to confront him. Speaking on Trump's criticism, Gov. DeSantis argues that the criticism proves DeSantis is a threat.
Marred by technical difficulties, DeSantis made his presidential announcement during a Twitter Spaces talk with Elon Musk. President Trump quickly called it a “DISASTER.” Similarly, Eric Trump also directed his own criticism at the Florida Governor over social media.
Trump and the family have openly denounced Governor DeSantis since the 2022 midterm election despite Trump endorsing him for Governor, and even though numerous other Republicans have entered the GOP primary race, Trump has consistently chided DeSantis.
However, in speaking to Good Morning New Hampshire, DeSantis sees this as a good thing for his campaign.
“I think a lot of what he’s doing is showing everyone that he understands that I’ve got a good chance to beat him, because he doesn’t criticize anybody else now. It’s only me,” DeSantis explained.
“They wouldn’t do that if they didn’t think that I had a chance because I think they realize that I am offering folks a record of achievement that’s second to none.”
Trump would disagree as he's positioned himself as the frontrunner in the race, but ultimately voters will decide who will move on to the general election. Trump has basked in the nomination of several Florida lawmakers, and soon DeSantis is expected to be picking up some of his own as the race continues.
DeSantis was questioned this week over the likelihood of pardoning Trump should he win the presidency, and he assured that a "day one" initiative would be to pardon people he feels have been victims of "political targeting." For him, Trump would fall under that category.
