Uh Oh: Trump Goes After DeSantis – Has the Infighting Started?

In what might be seen as a possible 2024 coming attraction, former President Donald Trump gave a back-handed rebuke to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely viewed as the second-most popular Republican behind the 45th President.

At issue is DeSantis’ endorsement of Colorado GOP Senate candidate Joe O’Dea. Trump has savaged O’Dea as a “RINO” over comments he made about distancing himself from the former President.

As to DeSantis, Trump made his first public comments directly opposing the governor: 

The Washington Examiner notes that DeSantis, in addition to his endorsement of O’Dea, also cut an ad for him. 

Previously, Trump took to his Truth Social social media platform and had this to say about O’Dea:

“There’s this RINO character in the Great State of Colorado, Joe O’Dea, that is running against the incumbent Democrat for the United States Senate, who is having a good old time saying that he wants to ‘distance’ himself from President Trump, and other slightly nasty things. MAGA doesn’t Vote for stupid people with big mouths. Good luck Joe!”

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Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have thus far had a good relationship, which makes the public comments significant, if brief. And so far this year, several polls, both scientific and non-scientific, have had the two at the top spots among GOP voters.

In February at the annual CPAC Conservative gathering, the straw poll had Trump in the lead over DeSantis 58% to 28%. Three months later at the Wisconsin State Republican convention, DeSantis had edged ahead of Trump 38% to 32%.

By August, a New York Times/Siena College poll had Trump back on top 49% to 25%. The most recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll has Trump in the lead of possible 2024 GOP candidates at 55%.

But take Trump off the list, and Ron DeSantis takes the lead at 40%.

Donald Trump has also said that he would definitely consider DeSantis as a possible running mate. In a July Newsmax interview, Trump was asked if he would consider DeSantis on a 2024 ticket. 

He said, “Well, I get along with him. I was very responsible for his success, because I endorsed him and he went up like a rocket ship, sure I would.”  

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A Trump-DeSantis Scuffle Not A Good Idea

A year ago, Trump predicted that if he ran against DeSantis, he would beat him. Trump stated at that time, “I don’t think I will face him. I think most people would drop out, I think he would drop out. If I faced him, I’d beat him like I would beat everyone else.”

But while Democrats may think a tussle between Trump and DeSantis would be popcorn-worthy, it would be a disaster for the Republican Party. The party could potentially be split among two factions who by and large agree with the direction to take the party. 

For Republicans who are fans of both Trump and DeSantis, such a 2024 presidential ticket might be a dream team, easily eclipsing anyone the Democrats could nominate. For some, they want Trump to run again in 2024, and DeSantis, who is much younger, to have the spotlight and run in 2028. 

There is still time for both to endorse candidates. The real show might be if they endorse the same ones.