DeSantis Knocks Trump on COVID-19 Lockdown 'Gaslighting'

With the Iowa Caucus looming near, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is again turning his attention to President Donald Trump (R). In a new advertisement, the DeSantis campaign knocks President Trump on the COVID lockdowns. The DeSantis campaign's advertisement warns that President Trump is trying to “gaslight” the American people over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, Governor DeSantis and Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) faced off in the final Republican primary debate before the Iowa Caucus. After the debate, Ambassador Haley has received a surge in support. Primarily, she has received a 10-point boost in a New Hampshire poll, and she is also polling higher than Governor DeSantis in an Iowa poll.

Her campaign has quickly gained traction as Republicans have gravitated towards her, which has further polarized Governor DeSantis’ chances of cementing himself in second place.

However, President Trump leads both candidates, but he finds himself in controversy after his prior comments about Dr. Anthony Fauci.

In the DeSantis Campaign’s new advertisement, footage of President Trump calling Dr. Fauci “a good man” is used, and in that same footage, he says “I like Dr. Fauci a lot.”

This contrasts with President Trump’s later comments excoriating Dr. Fauci, and Governor DeSantis attributes this contrast to President Trump “gaslighting” the American people.

On social media, Governor DeSantis captioned the advertisement, writing that “Donald Trump can try to gaslight you about Covid lockdowns and try to avoid accountability, but we all remember the truth… and so does Trump.”

“We need a reckoning for the failed pandemic lockdown policies and I will deliver it as president,” Governor DeSantis continues.

The Florida governor has positioned himself as a candidate that will “deliver,” which he says is something that President Trump didn’t do the four years he was in office.

The advertisement also shows footage of President Trump praising Governor DeSantis at a rally, thanking Governor DeSantis for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.

“You’re open and open for business,” President Trump praised.