In 2018, Ron DeSantis asked then-President Donald Trump for his endorsement in his campaign to become governor of Florida.
Tables Have Turned
Fast forward to 2023, and Trump is not the incumbent President. While experiencing troubles of his own, he is also now having to win the support of his party again – albeit in the position of favorite.
Friends are Now Foes
DeSantis, previously in Trump’s debt, is now a rival for the Republican Party (GOP) nomination for candidate for President of the United States – and Trump will not take any prisoners.
Home Defeat
At the Republican’s annual summit on Saturday, 4 November 2023, at Gaylord Palms Resort, outside of Orlando, Trump threw down the gauntlet to his rivals for the candidacy, including DeSantis, on his home turf and let everyone know that he means business.
It Started Out Well Enough
The event itself sought to introduce many of the Republican presidential hopefuls to the good people of Florida, including former President Trump, Governor DeSantis of Florida, Governor Christie of New Jersey, former Governor Hutchinson of Arkansas, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and tycoon Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump’s Tightening Grip
The candidates submitted applications to appear in the Florida 2024 primary, but that being said, the event decidedly swayed to the Trump camp. On Thursday, Trump acquired a clean sweep of endorsements from the Florida Republican US House delegation.
Writing on the GOP Wall?
Notable for her absence was former UN Ambassador Haley, who had originally planned to attend the summit but inexplicably pulled out. Haley will also be absent from the third presidential debate next week in Miami after missing the first two.
With a clear deficit to Trump, is this the first sign that the party is lining up behind the embattled former President? Surely if his closest rival pulls out of the race, there will be no hope for the also-rans.
Christie Did Not Have A Good Time
Once a staunch supporter of the former POTUS but turned into an opponent, Governor Christie was not a popular figure at the summit, receiving jeers from the moment he stepped on stage. He tried to address the boos by directing the anger at the policy issues that he hoped to address, but his frustration was palpable.
Trump said he’d heard that ‘Christie was booed off stage.’
DeSantis Receives a Warm Welcome
The Florida governor was welcomed by his home crowd and was applauded as he brought his family on stage.
What I Did For Florida, I Can Do For the Country
Governor DeSantis stuck to his track record as Governor of the state, claiming that he could replicate his success on a national level.
Out Of Interest, What Has Governor DeSantis Done For The State?
While he claims to have made record investments into the Florida school system, pouring money into conservation efforts and working extensively on the healthcare system, others claim that DeSantis has done little to support the regular citizens of the state, with per capita levels of investment in healthcare and education remaining amongst the lowest in the country.
Near-Shoring Bonanza
Whatever the position, DeSantis has presided over an interesting time in Florida’s history – welcoming thousands of wealthy jobs from California and New York through near-shoring, attracted by low state taxes.
Trump Wows
Former POTUS Donald Trump closed off the evening with an hour-long speech that spared no one. He drew large crowds, many attendees only there to see the former president.
Take No Prisoners
Trump marked his territory, aiming blows at his major rivals, including Haley, Christie, and DeSantis.
Sleepy Joe Must Go!
Many Trump supporters also jeered at the mention of sitting President Biden, clearly marking their support for Trump and insisting that “Sleepy Joe” must go.
The Migration Crisis
Trump’s policies are essentially a continuation of his greatest hits, one of which is the immigration crisis – Trump promised to remove undocumented immigrants from the country.
Build That Wall!
Trump also again called for the construction of a border wall with Mexico to keep out migrants coming in from the US’s southern neighbor.
Energy Independence, Inflation, and the Auto Industry
Another tenet of Trump’s policies is energy independence, promising to continue his policy to insulate the US from international energy price fluctuations. He addressed inflation and also that he thought the US was becoming too embroiled in the electric vehicle revolution.
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