DeSantis allies privately express anger over Trump's "DeSanctimonious" jab
CBSN
Several allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, including some who are close to former President Donald Trump, have privately expressed anger and even disgust with Trump for publicly calling his fellow Republican "Ron DeSanctimonious," CBS News reports. They're urging DeSantis, his family and his top aides to move forward with a 2024 presidential bid.
The allies reached out to CBS News unprompted, after Trump, during a Saturday night rally in Pennsylvania, gave DeSantis the new nickname. But Trump didn't repeat the comments the next day in Florida, when he stumped for GOP candidates in the Miami area. In Florida, DeSantis is at the top of the ticket, running for reelection. Trump instead urged attendees to "reelect Ron DeSantis as your governor" this week. DeSantis is trying to fend off a challenge by Democrat Charlie Crist, who was a Republican when he served as governor from 2007 to 2011.
With the end in sight for the 2022 midterm elections, tensions over potential presidential 2024 competition are rising to the surface between Trump and DeSantis – two key figures on the Republican landscape. In 2018, Trump endorsed DeSantis early in the race for governor, campaigned with him in Florida and was considered to be a big factor in DeSantis' victory.
