DeSantis shoots at Trump, says he’s ‘running to the left’ and claims he’s ‘a different guy today’
Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is escalating his attacks on President Donald Trump, accusing the former president of “leaning to the left” and claiming he’s “a different guy today” than he was in his previous campaign in 2016 and 2020
Speaking to conservative Tennessee radio host Matt Murphy, DeSantis criticized Trump’s campaign, saying it showed more signs of leaning toward leftist ideology rather than clinging to conservative values.
“He seems like he’s running to the left, and I’ve always been someone who was just rooted in conservative principles,” DeSantis said in an interview with Matt Murphy.
“These are going to be interesting debates, but I can tell you, nationally, you don’t win by going left,” he continued. “You win nationally when you stand up for bold politics. We showed that in Florida. I’ve never watered down anything I’ve done.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a policy roundtable in Bedford, NH on Friday, May 19, 2023 (Robert F. Bukaty/AP Photo)
The Florida governor claimed his presidential rival is “a different guy today.”
“I don’t know what happened to Donald Trump,” DeSantis said. “This is a different guy now than when he ran in 2015 and 2016 and I think the direction he’s going with his campaign is the wrong way.”
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“Ultimately,” DeSantis told Murphy, “he’s going to be left-leaning on a lot of financial issues, he’s going left on culture, he’s even on Disney’s side and against me.”
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Adler Theater on March 13, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. Trump’s visit follows a visit from potential challengers to the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who hosted events in the state last week. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
DeSantis and Trump exchanged remarks this week following DeSantis’ official run into the 2024 Republican presidential primary, with the Florida governor escalating his attacks on the former president.
On Thursday, May 25, DeSantis slammed Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, arguing he had “ruined the lives of millions” by giving the country to Dr. handed over to Anthony Fauci.
“I find [Trump] “It worked out great for three years, but when he turned the land over to Fauci in March 2020, it devastated the lives of millions,” DeSantis said. “And in Florida, we were one of the few that stood up, went against the grain and took.” Onslaught from the media, bureaucracy, leftists and even many Republicans kept schools open and businesses intact . “
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In return, Trump escalated his attacks on the governor, saying DeSanti’s presidential election announcement was a “disaster.”
“Wow. DeSanctus’ TWITTER launch is a DISASTER!” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth. “His whole campaign is going to be a disaster. LOOK AT IT!”
President Donald Trump greets Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis of Florida while his wife Casey DeSantis watches as they are unveiled during a campaign rally at the Hertz Arena October 31, 2018 in Estero, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Trump, who started his third straight appearance in November campaign in the White House, has been the clear leader in polls for the Republican presidential nomination for several months.
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National polls released this week by Fox News and Quinnipiac University both suggest Trump is outstripping DeSantis by over 30 percentage points — and new national polls from Marquette Law School also suggest the former president is well ahead in double digits lies with the governor of Florida.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.