In what could be a preview of the Republican primary for President in 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offered implicit criticism of Donald Trump by indicating his administration offers none of the “daily drama” of Trump, and suggests his conservative approach to governing puts “points on the board.”
DeSantis made the comments in a sit-down interview with Piers Morgan, and mark one of the first times the top-tier candidate has fired back at Trump after enduring months of constant jabs from the former President.
The comments also come as Trump faces possible arrest.
Morgan has described the remarks as “a blistering attack on his former mentor President Donald Trump” and noted he had “finally taken the gloves off.”
And indeed, DeSantis took quite a few shots, beginning with commentary on the chaos Trump allegedly brings to the table and that, in his view, is notably absent in his government.
“In terms of my approach to leadership, I get personnel in the Government who have the agenda of the people and share our agenda. You bring your own agenda in you’re gone. We’re just not gonna have that,” he told Morgan.
A fair point, and perhaps the biggest criticism Trump fans have for their preferred leader – John Bolton, Nikki Haley, Mike Pompeo, anyone?
“So, the way we run the Government I think is no daily drama, focus on the big picture, and put points on the board and I think that’s something that’s very important.”
DeSantis, comparing styles to Trump: ‘The way we run the government I think is no daily drama, focus on the big picture and put points on the board and I think that’s something that’s very important.’ https://t.co/CXuiQ3nC6D
— Byron York (@ByronYork) March 22, 2023
RELATED: They Keep Saying Trump Can’t Beat Biden in 2024 – This Poll Says He’s the ONLY One Who Can
DeSantis Hits Back at Trump
Trump has been lashing out at DeSantis, widely seen as the only legitimate challenger for the Republican nomination in 2024, for several months now.
But the Florida Governor has only recently taken the bait.
Earlier this week, DeSantis commented on the expected indictment forthcoming of the former President over reported payouts to porn star Stormy Daniels over an alleged affair.
While the charges are completely overblown and the Manhattan DA involved in the potential indictment is clearly seeking to make a name for himself, DeSantis noted he “(does not) know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star.”
BREAKING: Gov. DeSantis responds to Trump possibly being indicted.
“I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair…” but says Alvin Bragg is a Soros-backed DA who is going after Trump for political reasons. pic.twitter.com/M0JiQP3KVb
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) March 20, 2023
In speaking with Morgan, the attacks continued – many of them defensive.
Responding to Trump’s favorite nickname for him – Ron DeSanctimonious – DeSantis joked: “I don’t really know what it means, but I kinda like it, it’s long, it’s got a lot of vowels. We’ll go with that, that’s fine.”
“I mean you can call me whatever you want, just as long as you also call me a winner because that’s what we’ve been able to do in Florida, is put a lot of points on the board and really take this State to the next level,” he quipped.
As for Trump’s nicknames, DeSantis mocked: “I don’t know how to spell the sanctimonious one. I don’t really know what it means, but I kinda like it, it’s long, it’s got a lot of vowels.”
Some strong lines in this @piersmorgan exclu https://t.co/J3jqR1B6GX
— Paul Vale (@PaulVale) March 21, 2023
The Sunshine State Governor also claimed he “would have fired somebody like (Dr. Anthony) Fauci” during the pandemic because he had grown “way too big for his britches” and “did a lot of damage.”
Criticizing Trump for allowing Fauci to continue presiding over the pandemic when he was wrong in nearly every aspect and possibly going after the GOP frontrunner for the failed vaccine experiment might set DeSantis apart from his rival.
DeSantis: I have what it takes to be president, and I would’ve fired Fauci. https://t.co/VnRm2D8vuS
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 22, 2023
RELATED: Sarah Palin Offers Advice to DeSantis: Stay Out of Trump’s Way in 2024
DeSantis: I Can Beat Biden
DeSantis would eventually dismiss attacks being lobbied toward him by Donald Trump as “background noise” and insisted he can beat President Biden in 2024 should he decide to run.
“I have what it takes to be president and I can beat Biden,” he told Morgan.
As for a potential run in 2024, he told supporters to “stay tuned.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis Unloads on Trump, Says to ‘Stay Tuned’ for 2024 Decision. https://t.co/okBCTrjtNo pic.twitter.com/uFfncDTcYE
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) March 22, 2023
A poll released earlier this month by Emerson College indicates Trump is the only Republican candidate who leads President Joe Biden in a hypothetical 2024 matchup.
The Emerson survey also shows DeSantis may never get the opportunity to face Biden. The numbers give Trump an absolute stranglehold on the GOP nomination, leading DeSantis by 30 points.
It’s difficult to say what effect the return fire against Trump will have on DeSantis. In the past, other contenders for the Republican nomination have gone down in flames when trying to go toe-to-toe with him.
That said, Trump’s continued attacks on DeSantis have turned off some voters. They are viewed as non-sensical and misguided. These two men should be uniting their base to go after the actual enemy of the country – Joe Biden and the Democrats – according to this line of thinking.
On that, the Florida Governor seems to agree.
“My view though is we should want the country to do well,” DeSantis stated.
“I want other Republicans to do well. I want them to eclipse me. We’re setting a great standard in Florida, have everyone up their game.”
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