Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has made it clear he will not engage in any actions that would bring harm to other Republicans.
He stood firm in his commitment to maintaining unity within the party. In his response to the former president’s recent attack, DeSantis stated his resolve not to “smear” his fellow Republicans.
DeSantis and Trump’s Feud Escalates
At a press conference in Ocala, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke about the recent allegations made against him by former President Trump.
As a well-known member of the GOP and a likely presidential hopeful for the 2024 election, DeSantis was questioned regarding Trump’s latest broadside.
On Tuesday, the former president, who already announced his plans to run for the presidency once again, shared a message on social media. This ironically implied that DeSantis was involved in inappropriate behavior with teenage girls.
Trump just posted Ron Desantis as a pedophile teacher drinking with his students. pic.twitter.com/lD3WfoqmA8
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) February 7, 2023
On the other hand, DeSantis dismissed the recent criticism from former President Trump on Wednesday, stating he will not participate in tarnishing fellow Republicans.
The response of the Florida governor to the criticism is only the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between him and the former president. Trump once played a crucial role in DeSantis’ political success by endorsing him during his 2018 gubernatorial election campaign.
However, as DeSantis’ popularity and influence within the Republican Party continues to rise and he is seen as a more viable and capable leader, the relationship between the two has strained.
Their Strained Relationship Takes Center Stage in Roundtable Discussion
The strained relationship between DeSantis and Trump was brought to the forefront on Tuesday. The governor organized a roundtable discussion centered around the subjects of media bias and defamation.
The gathering, hosted by DeSantis, was attended by several notable attendees, including a well-known conservative attorney who is defending Dominion Voting Systems Inc. in a legal case against Rudy Giuliani and Mike Lindell.
They are both considered to be among the closest allies of the former president.
Governor DeSantis was asked about the recent social media post by Trump and the potential impact of any proposed defamation legislation on the former president.
The governor, unfazed by the criticism, stated he has a tough exterior and is not easily affected. DeSantis further went on to say he would not prioritize legal battles over his duties as governor, as he believes it would not be a practical use of his time.
DeSantis responds to Trump attack: ‘I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans’https://t.co/Z8zoGNnuYu pic.twitter.com/yCT8gSVvKH
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 9, 2023
The ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Trump continues to make headlines, as the two political figures clash over various issues.
As the Republican Party looks towards the future and the 2024 presidential election, it remains to be seen how these tensions will play out and what role DeSantis will have in shaping the party’s direction.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
