- DeSantis was already frightened about alienating the MAGA base in 2018, per an outdated debate prep video.
- The video, obtained by ABC Information, reveals DeSantis answering mock questions on disagreements with Trump.
- DeSantis is heard saying how he would body the reply so he wouldn’t “piss off” Trump’s voters.
In 2018, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was already worrying about how he might publicly disagree with then-President Donald Trump with out annoying and alienating the MAGA base, a brand new video reveals.
A video printed on Sunday by ABC Information reveals Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz serving to DeSantis prep for debates, for DeSantis’ first gubernatorial marketing campaign in 2018.
Gaetz posed him a mock query, asking: “Is there any concern upon which you disagree with President Trump?”
DeSantis, who was a member of Congress on the time, answered: “Clearly, there may be. I imply, I voted opposite to him within the Congress.”
“I’ve to border it in a approach that is not going to piss off all of his voters,” DeSantis added.
DeSantis then defined that he would reply to such a query by saying he would do what he thinks is “proper” and help Trump’s agenda, per ABC’s video.
“If I’ve a disagreement, I speak to him in non-public,” the governor stated within the video.
The video is a part of practically two and a half hours of tapes that ABC has obtained.
The leaked debate tapes show how DeSantis was involved about not alienating a good portion of GOP voters lengthy earlier than he confirmed curiosity in working because the Republican opponent to Trump in 2024.
DeSantis has not formally introduced a 2024 presidential run, however he’ll seemingly be Trump’s greatest rival for the GOP presidential ticket if he chooses to. And whereas DeSantis has held again from publicly criticizing Trump, Trump has launched quite a few assaults on the Florida governor.
Trump’s endorsed DeSantis in 2018, however stated in March that he regrets making the endorsement. Trump has additionally given DeSantis nicknames like “Ron DeSanctimonius” and “RINO Globalist” — the previous of which DeSantis has tried to brush off.
In April, Trump’s camp additionally tried to pressure Ron DeSantis to resign as governor and formally declare a 2024 run, accusing the governor of “taxpayer-funded globetrotting.”
A consultant of DeSantis didn’t instantly reply to Insider’s request for remark despatched outdoors common enterprise hours.
