Ron DeSantis bashes Biden’s age and ability in RNC speech
- DeSantis dashes idea that Florida in play for Democratic Party
- Governor: America can't afford ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ presidency
- DeSantis seen as Trump's chief GOP rival early in campaign
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(NewsNation) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a cutting speech calling for former President Donald Trump’s reelection at the RNC, labeling the current Biden administration a “Weekend at Bernie’s presidency.”
“Our enemies do not confine their designs to between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. … We need a commander-in-chief who can lead 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “America cannot afford four more years of a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ presidency.”
The former GOP presidential candidate dashed the idea that his state is in play for Democrats this fall.
“For decades, my home state saw elections determined by razor thin margins. Today, due to bold leadership, the Democratic Party lies in ruins. The left is in retreat,” DeSantis said.
President Joe Biden and his campaign team have said they’ll target flipping Trump’s home state in November.
“Florida is a solid Republican state,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis was largely viewed as Trump’s top rival heading into the 2024 primary, but the Florida governor struggled to gain traction with voters and suspended his campaign after finishing in second place in Iowa.
Trump and DeSantis were bitter rivals during the primary; the former president repeatedly attacked the Florida governor on his personality and policy until DeSantis suspended his campaign after the Iowa caucuses.
Trump often referred to the governor as “DeSanctimonious” and complained that DeSantis had not adequately appreciated his endorsement during the 2018 Florida gubernatorial race. On policy, Trump accused DeSantis of copying his ideas.
DeSantis had avoided directly attacking Trump in the early months of his presidential bid, but by the end of his campaign, the Florida governor was telling supporters Trump had “lost the zip on his fastball” and was not the same candidate who united the party in 2016 and 2020.
While DeSantis endorsed Trump upon suspending his campaign in January, the sniping did not stop. After DeSantis reportedly aired grievances about Trump on a call with supporters, top Trump aide Chris LaCivita responded that DeSantis was a “sad little man.”
The two men met in person in April. While Trump likely does not need DeSantis’s help to win the state of Florida in November, the governor has a strong base of donors and supporters who could help the former president as he takes on President Biden, and DeSantis may have his eye on 2028.
NewsNation partner The Hill’s Julia Mueller and Brett Samuels contributed to this report.
