DeSantis says Trump has shifted left and can’t win in a general election at Iowa launch.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign in Iowa, and he didn’t hold back in his criticism of former President Donald Trump. DeSantis accused Trump of moving left on federal spending, abortion, and crime, and failing to implement “America First” policies while in office. He also stated that Trump cannot win a general election and that there are many voters who will never vote for him.

“There are a lot of voters that just aren’t going to ever vote for him. We just have to accept that.”

DeSantis did not directly criticize Trump during his speech, but he did respond to Trump’s claims that Florida was the “third WORST State in Deaths by Covid” and that “New York had fewer deaths!” DeSantis fired back, saying that he could count the number of Republicans who would rather have lived in New York under Cuomo than in Florida under his leadership.

Kickoff Tour Begins, Ends in Iowa

The speech marked DeSantis’s first formal campaign event after declaring his candidacy on May 24. He kicked off a 12-city tour across three early-primary states, ending on June 3 back in Iowa for a fundraiser with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). DeSantis will visit four Iowa cities on May 31 before moving on to New Hampshire, South Carolina, and his return engagement with Ernst.

Before his address, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, met with local pastors for prayer, mimicking Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) 2016 strategy when he won the Republican caucuses after lobbying extensively for Iowa’s evangelical vote.

A Tough Crowd

Among the curious Iowans who attended DeSantis’s speech was James Love of West Des Moines, who told The Epoch Times that he was a “no-nonsense Reagan Republican.”

Asked if he had a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, he said: “No, not yet. I don’t think most Iowans have made up their minds yet.”

Love moved to Iowa from Seattle 20 years ago. He said he misses the beautiful city and the Pacific Northwest but that Iowa has been good to him.

“There’s plenty of work in Des Moines. I’m lucky to be here,” he said before noting that, after 51 years as a general contractor, he’s “tired” and ready to relax.

But first things first.

“I am retiring, but I’m going to vote first,” he said.