Exclusive — Rep. Matt Gaetz: ‘Highly Unlikely’ DeSantis Runs Against Trump, ‘These Guys Are on the Same Side’

Breitbart ^ | 27 Jul 2022 | MATTHEW BOYLE

[SoConPubbie]

TAMPA, Florida — Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) told Breitbart News exclusively here at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit (SAS) that he does not believe Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would challenge former President Donald Trump in a 2024 GOP presidential primary should Trump decide to run.

“I think that’s highly unlikely,” Gaetz told Breitbart News when asked if DeSantis would run against Trump in his view.

Gaetz dismissing the possibility of an internecine Trump-versus-DeSantis primary is very significant because he is extremely close with both party leaders—perhaps more so than any other high profile Republican figure, something Gaetz made sure to stress when he was making this point.

“I would go so far as to say there is no human walking around the earth that has spent more time with both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis than I have,” Gaetz told Breitbart News. “I spent a lot of time with the president in the Oval when he was leading our country. I was Governor DeSantis’s transition chairman and I was heavily involved in his campaign.”

Instead of DeSantis running against Trump as some in the donor class have been trying to force, Gaetz said the two of them in reality “are on the same side.” Gaetz said he expects Trump will run again in 2024, and DeSantis would seek the White House later in a future presidential campaign in 2028 or later.

“What I can tell you is these guys are on the same side,” Gaetz said. “We want to see a Republican Party that is a national party, a winning party, a fighting party. I think President Trump really views DeSantis’s success with great pride,

[SoConPubbie]

Gaetz dismissing the possibility of an internecine Trump-versus-DeSantis primary is very significant because he is extremely close with both party leaders—perhaps more so than any other high profile Republican figure, something Gaetz made sure to stress when he was making this point.

“I would go so far as to say there is no human walking around the earth that has spent more time with both Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis than I have,” Gaetz told Breitbart News. “I spent a lot of time with the president in the Oval when he was leading our country. I was Governor DeSantis’s transition chairman and I was heavily involved in his campaign.”

[Hostage]

Gaetz is in my top ten.

He just makes too much sense.

[Guenevere]

Bttt

[House Atreides]

“These guys are on the same side.”
*************************************

That simple fact escapes those FReepers who level attacks at Trump while trying to advance DeSantis. Well, as Momma always said, the stupid will always be amongst us.

[SoConPubbie]

That simple fact escapes those FReepers who level attacks at Trump while trying to advance DeSantis. Well, as Momma always said, the stupid will always be amongst us.

Not so sure they are stupid, but more like Trolls paid, in some manner, to be here to foment against Trump.

Knowing the GOP-E as we do, this is not too hard to believe.

[FLT-bird]

I’ve been saying from the start, DeSantis has told those close to him that he will not run against Trump. He’s the heir apparent and can run Florida for 4 more years, take a year off and then run for president in 2028 with Trump’s blessing and full backing. He could even choose to be the on the same ticket as Trump’s VP.

It is only the NeverTrumpers who are desperate to try to gin up some kind of conflict between the two of them. It has always been a fiction.

[SoConPubbie]

It is only the NeverTrumpers who are desperate to try to gin up some kind of conflict between the two of them. It has always been a fiction.

Agreed.

[M_Continuum]

So we cannot have an opposing view without being paid to do so? I can get paid for critical thinking? Damn, I’m missing out.

[SoConPubbie]

I can get paid for critical thinking?

Now that is just too funny!

[conservative98]

Trump 2024.

[SoConPubbie]

So we cannot have an opposing view without being paid to do so? I can get paid for critical thinking? Damn, I’m missing out.

You remember the old saying about throwing a rock into a pack of dogs and the one that yelps is the one who got hit?

[DouglasKC]

Exactly right...DeSantis is young. If Trump wants to run DeSantis will wait 4 years no problem.

[2manydegrees]

Ye Matt Gaetz is simply saying the politically obvious. Trump and DeSantis share the same base and use many of the same talking points.

From a larger perspective, Gaetz is speaking up to keep the confusion down:

Whenever you see “Trump” in an article by anyone in the mainstream media you can bet that the goal is not news about the ex-President, but an effort to sustain Democratics disdain for the man

Whenever you see “run” in an article by anyone in the mainstream media you can bet that the article is about an effort to drive a wedge between Republicans who support one candidate or one view and who might possibly be opposed to another candidate or another view.

Whenever you see “2024” in an article by anyone in the mainstream media you can bet that the article is aimed at distracting and confusing Republicans in 2022.

[datura]

I hope that DeSantis is the VP, and can bring a lot of his staff with him.

[Leaning Right]

I know many conservatives who have Trump fatigue (for the lack of a better term). These people love America, and they respect what Trump tried to accomplish.

But they are ready to move on. Some site Trump’s age. Some are uncomfortable with Trump’s combative nature. No matter. These are good people, not trolls or paid stooges. So I think their opinions should matter.

I myself am supporting Trump in 2024. But I’m not married to any one candidate. So we shall see what tomorrow brings.

[dfwgator]

Is that pic real?

[SoConPubbie]

I know many conservatives who have Trump fatigue (for the lack of a better term). These people love America, and they respect what Trump tried to accomplish.

But they are ready to move on. Some site Trump’s age. Some are uncomfortable with Trump’s combative nature. No matter. These are good people, not trolls or paid stooges. So I think their opinions should matter.

I don't.

Not sure what circles you run in, I don't personally know of any, but I'd bet it is not all that large of a minority as some promote here on FreeRepublic, and furthermore, I'd bet my bottom dollar that most, here on FreeRepublic, and elsewhere, are nothing but GOP-E Trolls or those with weak constitutions that don't like the fact that President Trump fights back, you know, mean-tweets, etc.

I like to refer to them as the "Love them into the Kingdom" crowd, their approach to life's problems is utterly useless and rarely, if ever, reaches the desired outcome.

[SoConPubbie]

Me too!

[CheshireTheCat]

I agree.

Some have claimed Trump wouldn’t run with an alpha male like himself as running mate.

I don’t see why not. Trump is a realist. He knows how old he is. Why wouldn’t he want someone like DeSantis to be the one to step in as president? He knows DeSantis thinks like him better than anyone else out there.

[Ethrane]

I’ve been saying from the start, DeSantis has told those close to him that he will not run against Trump. He’s the heir apparent and can run Florida for 4 more years, take a year off and then run for president in 2028 with Trump’s blessing and full backing. He could even choose to be the on the same ticket as Trump’s VP. It is only the NeverTrumpers who are desperate to try to gin up some kind of conflict between the two of them. It has always been a fiction.

No way DeSantis is on a ticket with the wildcard and polarizing Trump. He may step aside and wait, but can't see DeSantis hitching his political future to Trump.

I'd vote for either, but that's not going to be the option.