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.
“DeSantis” victory...WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONLY BRIGHT SPOTS.
I support DeSantis, but there were MANY BRIGHT SPOTS IN TUESDAY’S ELECTION.
WE have fallen into and accepted the Legacy Lamestream Media’s interpretation of it.
Even Newsmax’s hosts were buying that CLAPTRAP, much to my disappointment.
Yeah, he's a 8th Day wonder isn't he?
Agreed, Dump the Trump, set the 2 year old child in the corner and ignore him when he throws hims wittle temper tantrums.
He’s done, finished, unelectable, as a dogcatcher, put this 80 y/o blubbering buffoon out to pasture.
He is now a tool of the Dems to attack the WINNERS????
Sit down and STFU OLD MAN!
I support President Trump for all he tried to do for this country, but there are times I wish he would just shut up. This is one of them. Doesn’t he have enough real enemies as it is?
GFY!
Ditto Every Republican I know agrees with you. Tragic how a man’s narcissism and 6 years of constant attacks are destroying his legacy.
Trump is separating the sheep from the goats.
Like when he chose Bill Barr or Christopher Wray? Or endorsed McCarthy for speaker?
“Desantis did nothing to Trump.”
We don’t know that. It is concerning that all the wrong people are supporting RD. When The Lincoln Project is pushing RD, I worry.
I like both of them. Maybe by 2024 a totally different person will be The Guy (or The Gal).
In any case, PDJT should lay low and organize quietly instead of popping off. He could be silent but deadly if he played it right.
“You forgot insinuating publicly that Cruz’s father was involved in the assasination of JFK.”
Was he? Do we know for sure one way or another?
Paul Ryan supports Donald Trump. I was unaware.
They certainly weren't PERFECT candidates, none are, but they weren't DEMOCRATS!!
The fact that DeSantis is now flirting with a WH run makes me furious. As soon as any of these rinos get a little support from us they try to seize the reins and turn on Trump and try to kill The MAGA movement. Make no mistake, DeSantis is trying to destroy MAGA. He will fail but he may do some damage. What a POS.
3D chess. Trump created DESANTIS. You think that DESANTIS will be treated fairly AFTER he gets the nomination? Jesus how soon people forget. Our enemies WANT Desantis. Just like the wanted McCain, Romney, etc.
Like Rove? Please. I voted for Trump twice but he’s never been the sharpest person in the room.
Why is this on DeSantis? He has the leverage.
Our elections are a joke. Do you think that voting really matters? Trump rightly surmises that we need to go back to the way elections were run before covid. Let’s make them even more secure like most other first world countries. The fact that The RNC is not opposing these mass mail in ballot/drop box elections with endless counting means that they are in on the fraud. Wake up!
DeSantis will INSTANTLY become Hitler when he (God forbid) gets the nomination. Do you honestly think he gets a pass because he’s not Trump? Trump knows that the establishment (Fox News) is trying to find any option to defeat him. Good Lord…. Freepers with the vapors.
Best analysis I’ve seen so far. Because at this point, the only people following Trump truly are sheep.
Former President beats a sitting Governor.
—> Why would defending Desantis - make somebody a traitor or backstabbed?
I’d guess it’s the reverse.
Why would the backstabbers, traitors, deep state hacks, etc. rally to support desantis in unison??
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