ABC News received leaked footage of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) preparing for the 2018 gubernatorial debates. One clip shows him answering a question on where he disagreed with former President Trump, where he states, "I have to frame it in a way that's not going to piss off all his voters."
Representatives Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Byron Donalds (R-FL), who worked with DeSantis' campaign in 2018, yet enthusiastically support Trump in 2024, both criticized the release.
Rep. Gaetz called it "disloyal hackery."
"I ran the DeSantis Debate Prep in 2018. Though I prefer Trump for President (bigly), the release of these videos by the person operating the camera is disloyal hackery that I do not abide. Staffers who leak on the candidates they’ve done work for deserve the reputations they get," said Rep. Gaetz.
I ran the Desantis Debate Prep in 2018.
Though I prefer Trump for President (bigly), the release of these videos by the person operating the camera is disloyal hackery that I do not abide.
Staffers who leak on the candidates they’ve done work for deserve the reputations they… https://t.co/3FsmbLbtab
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) May 7, 2023
Similarly, Rep. Donalds called the release of the video "low class."
"I was on the DeSantis Debate prep team. These tapes should not have been leaked. It's low class," tweeted Rep. Donalds.
I was on the DeSantis Debate prep team. These tapes should not have been leaked. It's low class. https://t.co/zNClyHn0iL
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) May 7, 2023
Rep. Donalds had previously stated that his support for Trump's reelection does not mean he no longer supports DeSantis as Governor of Florida, merely that Trump has already proven himself in the Oval Office.
"I haven't stopped my support of Ron DeSantis, we're just talking about the presidency. Look, our country is in a real problem and you got to be able to hit the ground running on Day 1. We know Donald Trump can do it he did it once before he can do it again," Donalds said.
Can we say the same about Gaetz?
Gaetz and DeSantis have worked together for many years (to the point that Charlie Crist (D) inferred DeSantis was in on Gaetz's supposed relationship with an underage girl). At the same time, Gaetz criticized DeSantis for not backing Trump when the former President was indicted in March.
"Ron DeSantis should be standing in the breach to stop any sort of extradition of President Trump from the state of Florida," said Gaetz.
