Trump’s Diss of DeSantis Shows Who’s the Alpha Dog
Former President Donald Trump dismissed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential 2024 presidential challenger in a headline-making interview over the weekend.
SO WHAT
Trump remains the dominant figure in Republican politics, and he’s not afraid to say so.
WHAT HAPPENED
Speaking by phone with Yahoo! News Sunday, Trump said, “If I faced [DeSantis], I’d beat him like I would beat everyone else.”
Trump: "I'd beat [DeSantis] like I would beat everyone else." @maggieNYT says "this is sounds like someone who is heeding what some of his advisors are saying. …He is clearly laying down a marker with DeSantis here." pic.twitter.com/UOj69LXCml
— Alli Hedges Maser (@AllisonLHedges) October 4, 2021
“I don’t think I will face him,” added Trump, who has not declared his candidacy. “I think most people would drop out. I think he wold drop out.”
- Trump’s remarks were widely covered in both the mainstream and conservative media.
THE ‘MAGA’ MOJO
Despite losing reelection, Trump has maintained his dominant position atop the GOP hierarchy in part by intimidating critics and would-be challengers.
- DeSantis, Trump’s leading potential rival, has been careful to defer to his “MAGA” mentor.
- On Fox News’ “Hannity” last week, DeSantis denied having any plans to run for president, saying, “I’m not considering doing anything but my job.”
- DeSantis also confirmed he is running for reelection as governor.