A common thread of attack against Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) by his biggest rival for the 2024 Election, former President Donald Trump, is his apparent "disloyalty." During his appearance on Fox News's Jesse Watters Primetime, Gov. DeSantis stated politicians "are not entitled to support" and that his loyalties lie with his "family, to our Constitution, and to the Good Lord."
Watters asked Gov. DeSantis if he "felt" disloyal, which prompted him to reply, "Disloyal to who?" adding he had done "a lot for [Trump] in 2016 and 2020."
“Trump says you’re disloyal. Do you feel that way?”@RonDeSantis: "Disloyal to who? Politicians have to EARN support. They're not entitled to support. I did a lot for him in 2016 and 2020 by the way. I was happy to do it. But at the end of the day, I’m loyal to my family, to our… pic.twitter.com/ufuHLE7fBY
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 29, 2023
"Disloyal to who? Politicians have to EARN support. They're not entitled to support. I did a lot for him in 2016 and 2020 by the way. I was happy to do it. But at the end of the day, I’m loyal to my family, to our Constitution, and to the Good Lord," DeSantis replied.
DeSantis seemed to refer to his multiple appearances defending President Trump during his term on Fox News and their campaign stumps for each other as Business Insider suggested. However, DeSantis remained notably mum over Trump's repeated claim of fraud in the 2020 Election.
"I’ve been asked that a hundred different times. Anyone have a question on the topic of the day?" DeSantis responded in a June 2021 press conference when asked about 2020.
Trump first openly questioned DeSantis' loyalty in November after the 2022 midterms, when DeSantis' 2024 Presidential campaign remained a rumor. In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump stated DeSantis all but begged for his endorsement in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election. Additionally, he claimed DeSantis was "playing games" in the 2022 Election when he stated there were no plans to run for President in 2024, focusing instead on the Governor's race.
Trump stated DeSantis' answer did not suggest he had "loyalty and class."
The former President repeated the "begging for an endorsement" claim in March, saying, "It's about loyalty."
DeSantis continues to lag behind Trump in the polls, but it remains to be seen if his recent remarks about owing loyalty to faith, family, and country over Trump will make any impact.
