Trump is spreading the “rumor” that DeSantis is dropping out of the presidential race
Apparently Donald Trump was in the mood to gossip on Monday.
The former president used his Truth Social platform to spread some “rumours” about Republican rival Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) just before learning his trial in Washington, DC, the day before the Super Tuesday primary should begin.
“Rumors are circulating in political circles that Ron DeSanctimonious, whose presidential bid is a disaster and whose poll numbers have plummeted, taking him 3rd and 4th in some states, is dropping out of the presidential race to run in Florida.” , against Rick Scott for the Senate. That’s interesting, isn’t it?” he posted.
DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin called Trump’s rumor mill a weak intimidation tactic. tell the messenger“You know this is a two-man race and we will continue to do so until we win this presidential primary.”
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
“Rather than spreading fake news out of New Jersey, the Trump campaign should focus on getting its candidate on the campaign trail and on the debate stage in Iowa before it’s too late.”
While DeSantis still trails Trump in his poll numbers, his mild showing in the first Republican presidential debate prompted a small surge in support.
according to a Emerson College survey According to the poll released Monday, DeSantis’ share of likely Republican voters rose to 12% from 10%.
Meanwhile, the number of likely voters who would back Trump fell 6% after he opted to skip the debate.
Additional polls in August in Iowa, Florida, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina each showed that DeSantis is still technically Trump’s closest competitor. At least according to the numbers.
The primary could also present a logistical challenge for the politician, who has to juggle court dates in four separate criminal cases.
On Monday, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan Trump’s trial date in Washington, DC has been set for March 4, 2024, just a day before voters in 15 states choose their lead candidate.
Trump’s legal team previously called for the trial to begin in April 2026, nearly a year and a half after the next presidential election was decided.
