Last week, Family Leader CEO Bob Vander Plaats endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in his 2024 Presidential campaign, which drew ire from the camp of former President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection, to the point of accusing the faith leader of being paid to endorse the Florida Governor. Vander Plaats struck back against the remarks in a recent appearance on The Blaze's Steve Deace Show, saying they were "beyond the pale" and that Trump "deserved to lose [his] endorsement."
VANDER PLAATS: Trump’s recent unhinged attacks on @KimReynolds, @RonDeSantis, and myself “tells me more than ever” that “this country needs to choose well about who's going to be representing us as president of the United States.”
“Trump deserved to lose my endorsement.” pic.twitter.com/GeOg1MVcht
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 27, 2023
After the Vander Plaats endorsed Gov. DeSantis, Trump called the move "sheer desperation" on the latter's part, alleging the latter paid Vander Plaats $100,000 to make the move.
"Ron DeDeSanctimonious, in an act of sheer desperation, paid Iowa preacher Bob Vander Plaats $100,000, and then got his Endorsement? We did not seek it. What is going on here?" said Trump on Truth Social.
On the Steve Deace Show, Vander Plaats snapped back, "When you come out against me, and by extension, the Family Leader, and say that we are pay-for-play, we are bought and paid for, and this is how we do business, that is just beyond the pale."
Additionally, he said this incident reveals Trump's character because it comes out under pressure. In this case, he and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) both came out to support DeSantis.
"You completely throw them under the bus. You call them names just because they do not bow the knee to you? That is not leadership. And then, because I do not endorse you, you throw me under the bus, my family under the bus, as well as our ministry because we do not bow the knee? That tells me more than ever that this [Republican] Party and this country need to choose well," Vander Plaats continued.
Moreover, he said plenty of people he knew said they did not wish their children or grandchildren to grow up into a person like Trump, which he called "a big deal."
"Trump deserved to lose my endorsement. Matter of fact, I never endorsed him," Vander Plaats concluded, "but he proved he was not worthy of the endorsement of me, of the ministry, and by extension, the broader body. And I believe we will rise up and send a message on January 15th, because I think [voters] are seeing through this as well. This is smoke and mirrors. This is not the leadership our country needs."
