“He’s — to a Republican, an average governor — he received 1. 2 million fewer votes in Florida than I did,” Trump continued. “Florida was a success for many years, long before I sent Ron there. It’s amazing what Ocean and Sunshine is I’m going to do!”
Trump also pointed to DeSantis’ record as governor, saying he was an advocate of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and that Florida is “among the worst in the country” when it comes to education and crime statistics.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a crusade event at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. U. S. S. , Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (Sam Wolfe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Tensions had been simmering for months between the two Republicans, but came to a head Monday when DeSantis addressed a potential Trump indictment similar to the silent bills the former president allegedly made of adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
“I don’t know what’s going on when you pay cash to a porn star to keep quiet about some kind of alleged case, I just can’t communicate about it,” DeSantis said at a news convention while sentencing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin. Bragg. as a “Soros-funded prosecutor” who “pursues a political agenda. “
DESANTIS HIGHLIGHTS DIFFERENCES WITH TRUMP: ‘I WOULD HAVE FIRED’ FAUCI
DeSantis doubled down on comments in an interview with Piers Morgan later in the day it is expected to air on Fox Nation on Thursday.
“Well, there are many hypotheses about the underlying behavior. It’s intended to be that way, and she’s really my helmsman,” DeSantis told Morgan. “I mean it’s not something I can communicate about. “
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida will make his first visit to Iowa, the state holding the first race on the Republican Party’s presidential nomination calendar (“Y a la República”) presidential nominations.
The Florida governor also exposed the differences between him and the former president, noting that he does not tolerate the “daily drama” in his life and reportedly got rid of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“Well, I think there are several things. The technique for COVID is different. I think they gave her too big for her panties and I think it did a lot of damage,” DeSantis told Morgan. . .
“As far as my leadership technique goes, I have members of the government who have people’s schedules and percentage of our schedule. If you bring your own schedule, it disappears. We’re just not going to have that. “
DeSantis’ office did not respond to a request for comment on Trump’s latest complaint Wednesday night.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with former President Donald Trump at a rally. (Getty Images)
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Although DeSantis has yet to announce his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, recent emails in the early voting states of Iowa and Nevada, as well as one planned for next month in New Hampshire, have sparked endless speculation.
A Monmouth University ballot released Tuesday found that Trump had widened his lead over DeSantis in recent months, with 41 of the Republican electorate in favor of the former president and 27 in favor of the Florida governor. DeSantis had a 13% lead over Trump in December, and the two were tied. in February.
Paul Best is a breaking reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and stories can be sent to Paul. Best@fox. com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.