Ron DeSantis rules out being Trump’s VP, claims he is ‘more of an executive guy’
Comes as DeSantis has begun to actively lay the groundwork for a White House run.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ruled out being former president Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election, as he prepares to launch his own White House run.
Newsmax host Eric Bolling asked Mr DeSantis if he would consider being Mr Trump’s vice presidential nominee on Thursday evening, which the governor rebuffed.
“I think I'm probably more of an executive guy,” Mr DeSantis said. “I think that you want to be able to do things. That's part of the reason I got into this job is because we have action. We're able to make things happen, and I think that's probably what I am best suited for.”
Many conservatives have hoped Mr DeSantis would stage a run against the former president after he won re-election in Florida by almost 20 points last year, while many candidates Mr Trump endorsed fell short in the 2022 midterm elections.
Ron DeSantis breaks silence on Trump indictment with quiet dig at ‘alleged affair’ with Stormy Daniels
Trump launches furious lewd, homophobic attack on DeSantis as Florida governor muted on indictment
Trump news – live: Trump predicts death and destruction if indicted, upping violent rhetoric before Waco rally
Mr Trump has reacted to Mr DeSantis’s growing popularity by testing a number of insults for him, repeatedly calling him “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
The governor has largely ignored Mr Trump’s barbs in the past, but this week he took a slight dig at the fact the former president faces a potential indictment for allegedly paying adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a sexual liaison.
“Look, I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. I can’t speak to that,” Mr DeSantis said earlier this week.
That caused many of Mr Trump’s supporters and the former president himself to lash out and to imply that Mr DeSantis may face salacious allegations himself one day, and posted a photo of a younger Mr DeSantis drinking with students while he was a teacher at an elite school.
“Ron DeSanctimonious will probably find out about FALSE ACCUSATIONS & FAKE STORIES sometime in the future, as he gets older, wiser, and better known, when he’s unfairly and illegally attacked by a woman, even classmates that are ‘underage’ (or possibly a man!). I’m sure he will want to fight these misfits just like I do!” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social.
-Oliver O’Connell contributed to this report.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments