As the 2024 presidential elections approach, Republican candidates are intensifying their critiques of Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emerged as a significant challenger, positioning himself as more conservative than Trump. Alongside former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, DeSantis is seen as one of Trump’s main rivals for the Republican nomination.
In a Des Moines Register interview, DeSantis criticized Trump, stating, “[Trump] said he’s not conservative. He’s been all over the map in this campaign.” During his campaign in Iowa, DeSantis highlighted his conservative achievements, contrasting them with Trump’s record. He pointed to his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lifting mask and vaccine mandates in Florida, promoting anti-LGBTQ legislation, and signing a six-week abortion ban law.
DeSantis accused Trump of shifting to the left on some issues and being inconsistent on others, focusing more on personal grievances than national interests. He contrasted himself with Trump, emphasizing his commitment to national issues over personal ones.
DeSantis’s campaign strategy in Iowa also included reminding voters of Trump’s unfulfilled promises and his focus on personal vendettas. This narrative was bolstered by Trump’s direct attacks on DeSantis. In July 2023, during a Las Vegas event, Trump criticized DeSantis for lacking personality and being overrated, as reported by The Guardian.
Furthermore, Trump openly disparaged DeSantis at Florida’s annual Republican summit. CBS News reported Trump’s remarks, where he described attacking DeSantis despite advice against it, calling him a “wounded falling bird from the skies.”
DeSantis has also been vocal about his adherence to conservative principles, contrasting himself with Trump’s perceived shift to the left. In a May 2023 interview with Tennessee radio host Matt Murphy, reported by The Hill, DeSantis asserted his commitment to bold, conservative policies, questioning Trump’s recent political direction and suggesting that it deviates from his original 2015-2016 campaign stance.
The growing rivalry between DeSantis and Trump highlights the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party and sets the stage for a contentious nomination race leading up to the 2024 presidential elections.