Interesting. The political world would be shocked if he decided to sit this one out. Everything I see points to him running. But I see three scenarios:
1) He runs hard against Trump. Eviscerates him for warp speed. Plays the age card. Joins McConnell as a pro-war guy. He loses spectacularly and his political career is over.
2) He runs and debates the issues intelligently aside Trump on the stage. They compliment each other. When it becomes clear he can’t beat Trump, he joins him on the ticket.
3) He doesn’t run. Completes his term in ‘26. Then he is the clear leader for the ‘28 nomination.
The problem with 3) is that Trump/DeSantis has a much better chance of beating the cheat than Trump/Lake, which some will perceive as just too MAGA.
4) Remains very dignified, and only ever responds to Trump’s attacks on his character, whether he runs against Trump in the primary or not. That’s exactly what he’s doing now. If he doesn’t win primary, keeps his distance and watches Trump lose again in the general. Stays above the fray, and becomes the party leader immediately afterward.
His term ends in 26, which leaves hi well positioned to run at the front of the pack, having fulfilled his promise to finish his term. He left congress for the governorship because he’s always had Presidential ambition and his plan was always 28. I don’t see him pulling the trigger early just because the leftist media wants him too.
He could also then join the Trump administration as AG or FBI director to clean those agencies up. Although, I think he should stump the country making speeches.