Posted on 11/10/2022 9:15:55 PM PST by SeekAndFind
On Thursday night, with midterm races still yet to be called in key states that will determine the balance of power in Congress, former President Donald Trump issued a statement targeting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who walloped Democrat Charlie Crist in one of the few clear GOP victories of what was supposed to be a national "red wave" night in repudiation of President Biden's agenda.
Trump's lengthy statement began by using his new nickname for DeSantis — for whom he voted in Florida this week — "DeSanctimonious," and called him "an average REPUBLICAN Governor with great Public Relations" who "has the advantage of SUNSHINE." Trump also claimed "people from badly run States up North would go [to Florida] no matter who the Governor was, just like I did."
The 45th president continued his attack on DeSantis by claiming the popular governor's first campaign had "completely fallen apart" before Trump stepped in to endorse him, hold rallies on his behalf, and "fixed" his campaign while stopping the "election from being stolen." Trump's accusatory statement continued, saying "Ron DeSanctimonious is playing games!" by answering questions about a Trump 2024 run by saying he was focused on his now-wildly successful gubernatorial race and leading Florida. According to Trump, "in terms of loyalty and class, that's really not the right answer."
Trump's statement, while on par with his usual rhetoric that's normally used against centrist, squishy Republicans and not red state conservatives, drew an outsized amount of criticism from Republicans and conservatives for attacking DeSantis, let alone while the governor is responding to Hurricane Nicole's landfall across the Sunshine State.
Like many conservatives, Jesse Kelly was looking forward to a primary fight sharpening the eventual GOP nominee to take on Biden — or whoever Democrats run — in 2024. But now, he's calling Trump out, saying he's "going to just embarrass himself and go down in flames" which, as Kelly points out, is a sad development.
I was genuinely excited to see a primary fight between these two. I think that’s what would be best for the country.
But apparently Trump is going to just embarrass himself and go down in flames and I’ll be honest, it saddens me a little. Not how the Trump era should end.
https://t.co/CYVIcIsW4i— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) November 10, 2022
Others who supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 shared similar disappointment in his decision to start and now escalate a fight with one of Republicans' brightest examples of what limited conservative government can achieve:
I supported the man twice after never wanting him to get the nomination. He sat in $100 million this cycle to keep for himself. What he is doing now is childish and damaging nobody but him. I am done with Trump after this. Good riddance.
https://t.co/NLNdXlg9jS— Johnny Conch (@JCinKeyWest) November 10, 2022
Our friend Kurt Schlichter didn't hold back either, pointing out that his recent statements and reaction to the midterms could be seen as "an all out war against his electability."
Some might argue that Trump is in an all out war against his electability. I mean what the hell was that today? https://t.co/UmaLQlirn7— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) November 10, 2022
In the same vein, Byron York noted that Trump's statements in the last 72 hours seem to be an attempt to inflame most Republicans against him:
'Ron DeSanctimonious' is back. Former President Trump, perhaps worried there are some Republicans he has not yet irritated, attacks Gov. DeSantis again. pic.twitter.com/M4BlyUKlhe— Byron York (@ByronYork) November 10, 2022
Others, including Allie Stuckey, pointed to the fact that this might not entirely be about Trump's feelings about DeSantis — again, who Trump voted for on Tuesday — but about the fact that DeSantis is taking attention away from Trump's big announcement slated for next Tuesday night:
Trump’s statement reads like DeSantis slighted him in some way, but really he’s just upset that *other* people are talking about DeSantis’s presidential potential. https://t.co/BjV3IsOPjJ— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) November 10, 2022
As The Hill's Joe Concha, a Fox News regular, pointed out, Trump's feud with DeSantis is entirely one-sided and not a great strategy for Trump in the long-term:
And for those who argue that Trump is just fighting back against DeSantis, point to any public statement of DeSantis saying anything negative about Trump. This is a one-way street on that front and the former president looks small in doing so.— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) November 11, 2022
Another friend of Townhall's, Jim Hanson, noted that Trump and all who care about the future of America should be celebrating what DeSantis and his campaign accomplished in Florida on the gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional level.
Big Trump weakness
Attacking our team@RonDeSantisFL was the big winner yesterday
All of the Fighting Right should celebrate thathttps://t.co/yTdGU8mmoY— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) November 10, 2022
Even Townhall's own Matt Vespa and Storm Paglia — who've been endless defenders of Trump through it all — are fed up with Trump's midterm response:
Trump is just self-destructing...i hate to use the phrase "move on," but it's a debate we need to have before we're in the thick of 2024 stuff.— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) November 10, 2022
This is exactly why you’re bleeding extremely staunch supporters like me Trump. The great Governor has done nothing “sanctimonious” to deserve that super lame nickname, or these lies about his (much better than yours) Covid policies. DeSantis 2024.
pic.twitter.com/DzuudYs62Z— Storm Paglia 🇺🇸 (@storm_paglia) November 10, 2022
With reactions like these, Trump needs to read the room and realize firing inside the tent — especially against the man known in many GOP circles as "America's Governor" — is not the move in the wake of a midterm cycle in which DeSantis' victory was one of only a few bright spots.
But, if his escalating statements and posts on Truth Social are any indication, this seems to be the warpath Trump's now on — and it doesn't look like those who previously backed him want to be along for the ride.
Perhaps.
But The Don entirely bungled his handling of it. Warp Speed was always a wrong-headed approach and his SwampVax does more harm than good. And he still wrongly believes it saved the world.
Ron is to Don as Don was to Bush.
The SwampVax is Trump's WMD issue. Sure, Bush meant well but was given bad info and made decisions that cost much American life and treasure. Ditto the Don.
Ron is uniquely qualified to sell that story too, being the only real man among politicians to stand between the harmful TrumpSwampVax and the innocent children of FL.
DeSantis is acting like a cut throat used car salesman. Meeting with Ryan and McConnel is devious. Wrapping himself in the Bible as the agent of God’s wrath is pretentious at best. Trump is on target.
The only hope for our nation is to reelect Trump. Any other option enables corruption.
He is focused he knows the ones in the run can’t deal with the real issues and world leaders that he knows how they operate.
Every radical and socialist is on the push for anyone who is less then Trump is it’s their gain and our loss.
The fight for Liberty is a never ending one.
I didn't say that. I just wish President Trump would cool it with the attacks, especially against successful Republican Governors.
You think he will get a pass from the MSM after he’s nominated?
I never said that either. Where are you getting all of this? I know the MSM will go after him. Why help them?
BTW, have you cut the cord? If not then you're funding their attacks.
You think Trump doesn’t know that DeSantis is going to challenge him?
Then set the example, and concentrate on the issues, IF THAT HAPPENS.
Do you think that DeSantis, if elected, will go to Washington and challenge the establishment?
He already has in effect, by sending illegals to their cities.
Have you forgotten the Tsunami of corruption that Trump has faced on YOUR behalf?
Not at all, but he didn't face that from Governor DeSantis.
Click Bait Title
So Long, Trump, and Thanks for All the Judges: Is the 0-for-4 Loser Toxic for Republican Party?
Bill Whittle Right Angle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvjm6NFlo54
Wow, how easily fickle people are swayed when they don’t get their Red Wave like the media promised them. How many times are people going to fall for the hype that the media creates? It’s pathetic.
Totally unnecessary at this time. I hope he does announce next week because the reaction nationwide will determinge the mood of the party going forward.
I have supported him. Now not so much. He may be showing some signs of age in that great brain of his which is causing unforced errors of judgment.
“...only hope for our nation is to reelect Trump...”
Nonsense.
He is just a man. With some great qualities. And some yuge flaws.
I’ll take Trump’s flaws over the flaws of almost every other politician.
“4D chess”
Yup—he just defeated me.
I am out.
“I’ll take Trump’s flaws...”
As long as you admit he has flaws, the healing has begun.
Of course he has flaws, it’s like Patton said about Monty...
“Hell, I know I’m a prima donna — I admit it! What I can’t stand about Monty is he won’t admit it.”
Same here.
One thing I’ve noticed about Trump is that he brings out an emotional response in some alpha men who just don’t like other alpha men who they perceive as being stronger or more successful than they are.
I’ve heard several men (actually, nice guys) comment about liking everything that Trump’s done for our country but they just don’t want to vote for him because of his ego.
I’m a woman and in my life I’ve seen this type of emotional response more often from women toward other women than between men.
Also, is it really excessive ego if a person is proud of his actual accomplishments?
As the famous Dizzy Dean was quoted: "It ain't bragging if you can do it."
You're acting like Biden -- someone going off an Alzheimer's rant.
You're totally out of control.
Right!
:-)
There’s this guy, too. :-)
Yep
Oka.you win...im out of here.
Ego is one thing. The man is also a jackass. Absolutely nothing excuses the backstabbing right before an election.
People are rationalizing bad behavior because we all tend to like him most of the time.
I don’t idolize ANY man. Call him out on his flaws - if you really like him, it’s the right (and Christian) thing to do.
Trump should quit his awful Palin-like drama garbage and just announce one way or the other. What a dick that he wants everybody to endorse him BEFORE he announces. What if he decides NOT to run after all the silly stringing along crap, then it would be fine for Ron to announce.
DeSavage is giving The Don the room to announce.
If Don announces he’s running and then Ron announces too, AFTER that, then Don can call him whatever without looking so childish. I’d still vote for Ron over Don at this point and for whoever wins the primary.
For God’s sake. If anybody did to Don what Don did to Ron on election eve, Don would have a bloody fit.
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