You’ve got that backwards. The press is for public consumption; they WANT you, the Republican, to think they’re scared of Trump. The fundraising is for their own people. They want their people to believe that DeSantis could really win the nomination because they’re more scared of him.
I disagree.
What raises more money?
Trump putting in judges that ended Roe vs Wade?
Trump is a criminal?
Trump is hitler?
or
DeSantis passed a law for 6 week abortion?
DeSantis passed a law banning books?
DeSantis passed a law banning gay?
Hint: They have been saying this stuff about Trump for 8 years. The magnitude of hate or reaction reached its peak yrs ago. DeSantis is new meat and very conservative, more conservative than Trump.
In a general election, fence sitters want populists or middle of the road politicians. DeSantis is neither. Trump is both which is why they started branding him as King evil 2015. Both parties (politicians) detest populists but are fine with milquetoast. Trump is a populist that calls out the milquetoast. Both parties fear Trump more than any candidate on either side.
I very much doubt the Left is scared of DeSantis winning - he’s a liar and deceiver but not scary. Plus they control the machines that count