Trump says ‘disloyal’ DeSantis ‘trying to rewrite history’ on Covid
‘Ron would have not been governor if it wasn’t for me’
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.Former president Donald Trump lashed out at Ron DeSantis and called him “disloyal” as the Florida governor weighs a run for the 2024 Republican nomination against his former political benefactor.
Mr Trump spoke to Politico and CNN on his plane as he campaigned in New Hampshire and South Carolina, two states that have the first primary contests in the country.
“When I hear that he might [run] I think it’s very disloyal,” Mr Trump told reporters.
Mr Trump criticised Mr DeSantis for his record during the Covid pandemic. Mr DeSantis received plaudits from Republicans across the country for reopening Florida earlier than most other states, even though he did close the state briefly.
“There are Republican governors that did not close their states,” Mr Trump said. “They’re trying to rewrite history.”
Mr Trump also criticised Mr DeSantis for his shifting position on vaccines. Last month, Mr DeSantis announced a petition with the state’s supreme court to “enpanel a statewide grand jury to investigate any and all wrongdoing in Florida with respect to Covid-19 vaccines”.
Mr DeSantis has also opposed vaccine mandates.
But Mr Trump said Mr DeSantis “changed his tune a lot” on vaccinations.
The Florida governor and Mr Trump have a fraught history. Mr Trump endorsed Mr DeSantis in the 2018 gubernatorial primary thanks in part to an ad showing Mr DeSantis building a faux US-Mexico border wall with one of his children.
Mr Trump highlighted that on his plane when speaking to reporters.
“Ron would have not been governor if it wasn’t for me,” he said. “When I hear that he might [run] I think it’s very disloyal.”
Mr Trump for his part has taken not-so-subtle shots at Mr DeSantis, calling him “Ron DeSanctimonious” before the November midterm elections. But that did not stop the governor from winning re-election by double digits.
That victory and breathless praise in conservative media has Mr DeSantis become the most viable alternative to a second Trump term.
Mr DeSantis has also focused heavily on culture war fights on everything from teaching about race in school to LGBT+ rights. Mr DeSantis has called Florida the place “where woke goes to die”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments