IMPLOSION: DeSantis officially loses the MAGA base he never had in the first place
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can’t save Donald Trump from impending indictments, but by failing to even make a pretense of effort to do so, he’s still angering the former president’s fan base.
DeSantis’s announcement on Monday didn’t do anything to further endear him to the MAGA crowd, either.
From the moment Trump announced that he expected to be indicted on Tuesday, MAGA began to call for DeSantis to speak up, with many apparently believing he could shield the former president in his state, and others merely insisting that he should make a public statement of support for Trump.
Anger over the radio silence came from influential Trump supporters, including his son, and Trump’s campaign, especially as DeSantis made public statements about other matters (like the state’s hurricane response) but didn’t address the potential indictment.
At last, on Monday morning, the already-embattled governor responded to a a question, essentially declaring that he had no knowledge of the matter.
He spouted a handful of right-wing talking points about Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, George Soros, and crime, then made what could be his fatal political mistake — he mildly mocked Donald Trump and his moral and legal issues.
DeSantis’ brief comment seemed to imply both that he believes the allegations that Trump paid off an adult film star to hide an affair and protect his campaign, and that he himself is above such moral and legal misdeeds. He declared:
“Look, I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. I just, I can’t speak to that.”
You’ll see that video below, but first, let’s look at some of the things MAGA was already saying about DeSantis — and any other Republican who isn’t ardently defending Trump — even before Monday’s comments.
Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr., retweeted right-wing activist Jack Posobiec, who complained about unnamed individuals who wouldn’t take “10 seconds to send a tweet” defending the former president.
Junior added his own commentary, advising fans to “pay attention to” the Republicans who neglected to speak out.
Pay attention to which Republicans spoke out against this corrupt BS immediately and who sat on their hands and waited to see which way the wind was blowing. https://t.co/WJMq2528Gs
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 19, 2023
The Trump War Room social media accounts also scolded “some people” for remaining silent, and warned that they’d be judged by history.
It has been over 24 hours and some people are still quiet. History will judge their silence.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 19, 2023
Others, such as Trump-aligned political advisor Alex Bruesewitz, weren’t shy about calling out DeSantis by name.
DeSantis is a fraud who has remained silent as Donald Trump, the man he used to advance his political career, is being persecuted.
Many other Republicans from @SpeakerMcCarthy & @VivekGRamaswamy to even Mike Pence have spoken out about this.
Ron remains SILENT! https://t.co/nvQrnRuUAh
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) March 20, 2023
Now, Trump’s supporters, such as his former spokesperson, Liz Harrington, are jumping on the new statement, and attacking DeSantis for the “dig” at the ousted and scandal-plagued ex-president.
Are you kidding me? SAY HIS NAME!
What a total fraud he is. He takes a dig at President Trump who is being falsely accused and can’t even say his name. It proves DeSantis is totally fine with a third world nation arresting their number one political opposition. Not MAGA! https://t.co/pk4hEyD4Y0
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) March 20, 2023
Don Jr. also weighed in on DeSantis’ declaration that he won’t be involved in an ‘extradition’ and that he’s focusing on “real issues.”
The former president’s oldest son declared the Florida Governor to be “owned by” political donors, and showing weakness.
So DeSantis thinks that Dems weaponizing the law to indict President Trump is a "manufactured circus" & isn't a "real issue"
Pure weakness. Now we know why he was silent all weekend. He's totally owned by Karl Rove, Paul Ryan & his billionaire donors. 100% Controlled Opposition. https://t.co/3fT06rlbH5
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 20, 2023
Check out the video clip below.
Ron DeSantis is asked about a possible Trump indictment. He immediately blasts the Manhattan DA as a "Soros-funded prosecutor." But then he also says, "look, I don't know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair." pic.twitter.com/g63X2U3xlk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2023
What does this mean for the GOP primary?
For Trump, it probably doesn’t change much.
For DeSantis, though, it means he’s alienating a lot of MAGA voters, and he hasn’t even announced a campaign yet.
That can’t bode well for his 2024 chances.
