Trump Claims About DeSantis: ‘There Were Tears Coming Down From His Eyes’ As ‘He Begged Me’ For Endorsement

During an interview this week, former President Donald Trump stated that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) “begged” him for an endorsement in the state’s gubernatorial primary election in 2018 and that DeSantis was crying when he asked.

Trump’s latest attack on the 44 year-old governor was made during a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt. He also attacked other potential presidential candidates for 2024, including former U.N. Secretary-General Mike Pompeo. Former Secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Ambassador Nikki Haley and Governor. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA).

“Ron DeSantis got elected because of me. You remember he had nothing. He was dead. He was leaving the race,” Trump claimed. “He came over and he begged me, begged me for an endorsement. He was getting ready to drop out. I gave him an endorsement, and as soon as I gave that endorsement, in fact, I said you’re going to have a hard time.”

“He said if you endorse me, I’ll win. And there were tears coming down from his eyes,” Trump claimed. “He said if you endorse me, I’ll win. I said you know what, Ron, Ron was one of 150 people that was on television. I mean, Jim Jordan was the best, and others were great. But he was one of 150, Hugh, that was on television, and he was supporting me on the impeachment hoax number one, and a little bit on the impeachment hoax number two. And I said I don’t know Adam Putnam, so we’ll do it.”

Trump repeatedly referred to DeSantis’ as “DeSantis.” “very disloyal” You might consider running for President in 2024.

Trump is said to be interested in DeSantis’ White House bid. However, he hasn’t engaged him as he enjoys a wave popularity far beyond Florida. Recent University of New Hampshire conducted a poll Trump is leading DeSantis by 42% to 30% among likely Republican voter in the Granite State. There are no other possible Republican challengers in double digits.

Trump’s other recent attacks on DeSantis have included trying to give him a nickname and attacking the governor for his actions during the COVID pandemic.

DeSantis responded to a reporter’s question this week about the attacks by indicating that he was unfazed by the remarks of critics as his primary focus remains serving the people of Florida.

DeSantis was attacked for his COVID policies. This is curious considering that DeSantis was a vocal opponent to vaccine mandates and reopened Florida schools and business long before the rest of the country.

“I roll out of bed, I have people attacking me from all angles. It’s been happening for many, many years,” DeSantis added that “in a crisis situation like COVID, the good thing about it is when you’re an elected executive, you have to make all kinds of decisions, you’ve got to steer that ship.”

“And the good thing is, is that the people are able to render a judgment on that, whether they reelect you or not,” DeSantis said. “And I’m happy to say, you know, in my case, not only did we win re-election, we won with the highest percentage of the vote that any Republican governor candidate has in the history of the state of Florida.”

“We won by the largest raw vote margin, over 1.5 million votes, than any governor candidate has ever had in Florida history. And in fact, we almost doubled the previous record, which I think was like 780,000 vote margin,” DeSantis added. “And so what I would just say is, that verdict has been rendered by the people of the state of Florida.”

DESANTIS REPONDS TO TRUMP ATTACKS “I roll out of bed, I have people attacking me from all angles […] In my case, not only did we win re-election, we won with the highest percentage of the vote than any Republican governor candidate in the history of the state of Florida.” pic.twitter.com/FLEXeVPlRn

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 31, 2023

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