The race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination is heating up with former President Trump launching a sharp attack against fellow candidate Ron DeSantis, labeling him an “absentee” governor.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump criticized DeSantis, coining the nickname “Ron DeSanctimonious” and accusing him of neglecting his duties in Florida.
Trump criticizes DeSantis in post, highlighting rift in Republican party
Trump’s post reads: “Ron DeSanctimonious has become an Absentee Governor of Florida, never there, not working. Get back to Florida, Ron, and do what you campaigned on, which was NOT running for President.”
Trump’s admonishment to DeSantis, “Fix the highest in the Nation Insurance problem. Oh, and you’re 54 Points down!” points to a deepening rift in the Republican Party.
This exchange comes in the wake of DeSantis, who often highlights his achievements as Florida’s governor, intensifying his criticism of Trump, particularly over Trump’s responses to endorsements from other Republican leaders.
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DeSantis decries Trump’s endorsement approach
DeSantis, in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, condemned Trump’s approach to endorsements.
Addressing Trump’s comments on Bob Vander Plaats, a top evangelical leader, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, DeSantis said, “I think the attacks against Bob Vander Plaats have been out of bounds, just as I think the attacks against Gov. Kim Reynolds have been out of bounds.”
He added, “If somebody endorses somebody other than you, you don’t always have to lash out and attack the person who made the endorsement.”
Trump’s reaction to Governor Reynolds’ endorsement, GOP dynamics
Trump’s response to Governor Reynolds’ endorsement of DeSantis was particularly sharp.
He labeled Reynolds “the nation’s most unpopular governor,” indicating the escalating tensions within the GOP as the 2024 presidential race unfolds.
Despite this, DeSantis continues to trail Trump in most national polls, illustrating the complex dynamics within the Republican base.
Trump’s post also targeted former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of Trump’s most outspoken critics.
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Trump’s critique of Christie, Republican party divisions
Trump derided Christie’s performance as governor, writing, “The same thing happened to Sloppy Chris Christie. He failed in New Jersey and left with an 8% approval rating, lowest ever for a governor.”
The exchange between Trump and DeSantis reflects a growing divide within the Republican Party as candidates position themselves for the 2024 nomination.
Trump’s criticisms of DeSantis and Christie underscore the former president’s readiness to engage in aggressive tactics against his political adversaries.
DeSantis focuses on policy and governance
DeSantis’s responses, meanwhile, highlight a strategic approach, focusing on policy and governance over personal attacks.
As the GOP primary race intensifies, these interactions between Trump and DeSantis signal a significant shift in the party’s dynamics.
Contrasting leadership styles in the Republican Party’s evolving landscape
The Republican base is witnessing a contest not just of political ideologies but also of leadership styles and approaches to governance.
Trump’s aggressive stance and DeSantis’s more measured responses illustrate the contrasting strategies within the party as it heads toward a pivotal election.
The burgeoning rivalry between Trump and DeSantis offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the Republican Party, setting the stage for a contentious and closely watched presidential primary season.
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