You miss my point
If DeWine was a Democrat, his path forward would be clear - simply call Trump a liar, a fascist, an idiot, and go on MSNBC and deny everything, to rally his base.
But DeWine claims to be a Republican, so DeWine is caught between facts on the ground, what is ostensible base wants, and the Republican Presidential candidate who is publicly embarrassing him.
I understand what you are saying and you are right. Dewine is playing to the MSM for approval and this puts him in the same category as the trash rinos I mentioned previously. Dewine is no friend of Trump.