President Donald Trump (R) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) are now exchanging political blows on a daily basis. This week, while campaigning in Iowa, Gov. DeSantis directed criticism at President Trump, arguing that he had “moved left.” Trump has released a list, outlining “Ron DeSantis’ lying record on COVID.”
The 2024 Republican presidential primary race could increase in size as Vice President Mike Pence (R) and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) are expected to announce their presidential aspirations soon. Both former lawmakers supported President Trump in the past, and though Pence’s relationship with Trump has soured since the conclusion of the 2020 election, he has steered clear from outright criticizing Trump on issues.
Despite this, Gov. DeSantis and President Trump are considered the frontrunners for the nomination, and since DeSantis made his presidential aspirations clear, both have gone after each other to gain the upper edge.
Trump is now going after DeSantis for his political stance on COVID, which comes as DeSantis argues that his administration preserved freedom in Florida during the pandemic.
However, Trump’s campaign argues that “President Trump saved millions of lives, opposed mandates, and embraced the Federalist system to allow States to make the decisions best for their people.” “Ron DeSantis continues to lie about his record, as he personally oversaw mass vaccinations and imposed radical lockdowns,” the campaign continued.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump has also commented on Florida’s Covid-19 death rate, questioning “why do they say that DeSanctus did a good job? New York had fewer deaths! Also, he shut down the State, and even its beaches (unlike other Republican Governors).”
DeSantis maintains that Trump is threatened by his campaign given the constant criticism, and on Twitter, Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ spokeswoman, has expressed that “the fact that he keeps doubling down on lockdowns leaves no doubt Trump would do it again if he had the chance to.”
Responding to Trump’s claim that his goal is to “slay the Deep State,” DeSantis has questioned why Trump didn’t slay them in the four years he was in office.
🔥 DESANTIS: “If the former president says he can slay the Deep State in six months … my question to him would be: you already had four years, why didn’t you slay it then?” pic.twitter.com/kjfVB4LOzT
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 2, 2023
