The impatience of the American political universe is very real, and there is no doubt whatsoever that our nation will be chomping at the bit to discuss the 2024 presidential election the very moment that we’re through with 2022’s midterms.
But that’s not to say that there isn’t already some serious discussion going on now, as well as some rather obvious political positioning – particularly as it pertains to Donald Trump and the GOP.
Trump’s mounting legal and political troubles continue to cast doubt over his ability to run again in ’24, despite his own pledge to not let even an indictment stop him.
But Florida Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t so sure that Trump is going to get to the finish line of the nomination process, and has begun his own foray into a potential run. This has the two GOP heavyweights at odds with one another.
Donald Trump put his full force behind Ron DeSantis in 2018, rallying with the GOP gubernatorial candidate in his home state of Florida. “My great friend,” Trump said. “A tough, brilliant cookie.”
Four years later, Trump has yet to endorse DeSantis as he seeks a second term and is unlikely to campaign for him, according to Trump advisers with knowledge of the former president’s intentions. The two men once spoke regularly, a close Trump adviser said, but, “those days are gone.” The two haven’t talked since early in the summer, people familiar with the matter said, and DeSantis has not asked Trump to campaign for him.
Trump is said to be keeping tabs on the Sunshine State lawmaker.
The former president tracks DeSantis’s public appearances and polling numbers, according to his advisers who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to share private conversations. He has also soured on DeSantis, repeatedly criticizing him and telling advisers: “I made him.”
“He’s ungrateful,” Trump has said, according to two people close to him. “I knew him from watching Fox, and he’d done a good job about me and other things. He’s an Ivy League baseball player,” Trump has said, explaining his 2018 endorsement, according to a person who has visited his Mar-a-Lago Club and heard him talk about DeSantis. “I don’t understand what happened here. I don’t understand why he doesn’t appreciate me more.”
Trump recently polled a room of visitors at his Bedminster golf club about what they thought of DeSantis, according to a person present for the gathering.
DeSantis hasn’t made any sort of official announcement about a possibly run for the White House, nor has he publicly hinted at any such thing. He has, however, begun courting political mega-donors and raising his national media presence, which are two good signs that he’s at least considering it.
