DeSantis admits Trump’s loss in 2020 election.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Dismisses Trump’s Election Claim

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has firmly rejected former President Donald Trump’s assertion‍ that he ⁢won the‍ 2020 ‌presidential ⁢election. ​In ‌a recent interview with ⁢NBC News, DeSantis made it clear⁢ that Joe Biden is the rightful president.

“No, of course he lost,” DeSantis stated. “Joe Biden’s the president.”

While DeSantis acknowledged ⁢that the 2020 election had flaws, he emphasized that the winner is determined by the inauguration ​ceremony. He expressed his​ belief that the⁤ media and others have exaggerated ‍the election’s perfection, stating, “I don’t think it was a ‌good-run election.” DeSantis also criticized Republicans⁢ for not‍ fighting back against the⁤ alleged irregularities.

DeSantis ⁣attributed Trump’s loss to factors such as increased mail-in ​voting during the pandemic and the former president’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis. ⁤He pointed out that the Republican National Committee encouraged early voting and mail-in ballots, which Democrats effectively utilized.

“But ​here’s ⁤the issue that I think ‍is important for Republican voters to think about: Why did we have all those mail votes?​ Because Trump turned the government over‍ to [Anthony] Fauci,” DeSantis explained. “They embraced​ lockdowns. They did the CARES Act, which funded‌ mail-in‌ ballots across the country.”

Despite pressure to denounce Trump’s claims,⁢ DeSantis has avoided direct confrontation ‌with the former president, mindful of the significant number of Trump supporters in key battleground ​states. Instead, he ⁣aims to ‍position himself as a strong⁤ alternative for the 2024 election, highlighting his successful 2022 midterm win in Florida and the state’s recent legislative victories.

Meanwhile, Trump faces three indictments, including one related to ⁢his alleged⁣ attempts to overturn the ‌2020 ⁣election and the January 6 Capitol ‍riot. DeSantis criticized the Justice Department for what he‌ called “weaponization”‍ but cautioned⁣ against Republicans⁢ becoming too fixated on Trump’s legal troubles, as it could harm ⁣their chances in the next ‌election.

“If the election is a referendum on Joe Biden’s policies and the failures that we’ve seen and we are presenting ‍a ‌positive vision for the future, we will ‍win the presidency, ⁤and we will have a chance to turn​ the country around,” DeSantis asserted. “If, on ⁤the other hand, the election is ⁤not about Jan. 20, 2025, but Jan. 6, 2021, or what⁣ document was left‌ by the toilet ⁤at Mar-a-Lago, if it’s‍ a referendum‌ on that,⁢ we ⁣are ⁣going to lose.”

Despite⁣ trailing behind Trump in most state and national​ polls,⁢ DeSantis remains determined to present himself as ‍a⁢ viable alternative.‍ RealClearPolitics currently places him at an ⁣average of⁤ 15.7%, 38 percentage points behind the ⁤former president.

Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.