DeSantis Draws Distinction From Trump, Says He Would Have ‘Fired’ Fauci

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated in a Fox Nation interview that he would have “fired” former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci if he were president during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also differentiates himself from former President Donald Trump in his approach to the pandemic. DeSantis sees Biden as his main rival if he runs for president in 2024, not Trump. He noted the importance of not only winning over Republicans but also independents and even some Democrats. DeSantis sometimes targets Trump, but he has been circumspect in his comments about the former president’s recent legal issues. Trump, however, has been focusing on targeting DeSantis, claiming that he might face false accusations and fake stories in the future.

Fauci is a Frequent Target for DeSantis

DeSantis has been targeting Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID director from 1984 to 2022, and Biden’s chief medical adviser in his recent campaign-like book tour appearances. DeSantis demands that Fauci be held liable for school lockdowns, business closures, and mask regulations. He says Fauci is getting too big for his britches and that he did a lot of harm. DeSantis thinks he’s able to win support from Democrats and independents because they’re not woke and they want quality education and safe streets. He doesn’t think he’ll go against Trump if he runs for president. Instead, he’ll focus on Biden and Democrat policies.

DeSantis Believes He Can Gain Votes from Independents and Democrats

DeSantis is confident that he can receive more support from independents and disaffected Democrats than other potential GOP candidates. During his first term as Florida governor, an estimated 80,000 registered Democrats, mostly minority “school-choice parents,” voted for him because he has provided quality education and safe streets. DeSantis thinks that he can appeal to people across the political spectrum.