On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former ally of Donald J. Trump, suggested that Trump was putting personal loyalties above the welfare of the nation. He harshly criticized the former president.
In 2017, then-President Donald Trump endorsed Ron DeSantis for governor of Florida. The support from President Trump was a big boost for DeSantis, a Tea Party conservative, and allowed him to outperform right-wing Republican candidate Adam Putnam, who was then serving as Florida's agriculture commissioner. report.
„Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader who graduated from Yale University and then Harvard Law School, and is a man who would be a great governor for the state of Florida. He loves our country and He is a true fighter!” President Trump wrote about X.
In 2022, at a rally in Florida, former President Donald Trump publicly supported DeSantis' re-election following speculation about tension between the two.
„You're going to re-elect Ron DeSantis as your governor.“ President Trump said The day after Trump called DeSantis „Ron DeSanctimonious“ at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump is known for his influential role in Republican politics and was a key figure in DeSantis' bid to become governor. Mr. Trump's support was a key factor in Mr. DeSantis' victory, helping him secure the Florida governorship over other leading Republican candidates.
However, the political landscape has changed dramatically since then. Even though Trump played a pivotal role in his success in the gubernatorial race, DeSantis is determined to challenge his former mentor in the upcoming presidential race. This decision is seen by many within the Republican Party as an astonishing act of betrayal and dishonesty.
On Sunday, on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Ron DeSantis publicly criticized former President Donald Trump for putting his personal interests ahead of the national interest during a campaign event in Ankeny, Iowa.
„You may be the least worthy Republican in America, but kiss the ring and he'll tell you you're great. You're America's strongest, most dynamic, successful Republican.“ But if you don't kiss that ring, he'll try to trash you. You know what you deserve. You, not yourself. This is a candidate who will put that first,“ DeSantis said.
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JUST IN: Ron DeSantis, a former Trump supporter, accused Republicans of „kissing the ring“ of Trump, claiming Trump is putting himself before the American people.
„You may be the most worthless Republican in America, but kiss the ring and he'll call you great.“ pic.twitter.com/RgfJ1ko7H3
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 15, 2024