Trump comments on DeSantis’ 2024 presidential bid.

Zach JewellMay 25, 2023

Trump Mocks DeSantis’ Presidential Campaign Launch

Former President Donald Trump responded to Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) entering the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday by mocking the governor and his campaign’s Twitter launch, which he called a “disaster.” He also worked in a reference to North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un, who he said would soon be his “friend.”

Trump’s Social Media Post

“I’d like to personally congratulate ‘Rob’ DeSanctimonious on finally announcing that he will be entering the race for President of the United States,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social. “Hopefully he will get the full experience of being attacked by the Marxists, Communists, and Radical Left Lunatics of our Country, without which he will never know the kind of job he is doing. These Lowlifes & Misfits are far worse than the leaders of hostile foreign countries. They must be soundly defeated in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

As DeSantis’ Twitter event had some technical difficulties due to the high level of strain that it placed on the company’s servers, Trump added: “‘Rob,’ My Red Button is bigger, better, stronger, and is working (TRUTH!), yours does not! (per my conversation with Kim Jung Un, of North Korea, soon to become my friend!).”

DeSantis officially entered the race Wednesday afternoon by filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) hours before he appeared for a live-streamed event on Twitter with billionaire Elon Musk, where he formally announced his campaign for president.

Trump vs. DeSantis

DeSantis’ announcement begins what’s expected to be a dramatic race to the Republican nomination. Even before DeSantis jumped into the race, Trump ramped up the criticism and name-calling of the governor, who currently sits as the former president’s biggest threat from within the GOP. DeSantis, on the other hand, rarely called out Trump by name as he prepared his 2024 launch. The Florida governor has instead taken subtle shots at Trump when discussing issues such as COVID policies and winning the next election.

Trump and DeSantis sit at the top of the 2024 Republican Party presidential primary with several other candidates — most notably Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — polling in the single digits.

Trump Leads in Early Republican Primary Polls

A contentious CNN town hall earlier this month unofficially kicked off the Republican presidential primary and cemented Trump’s position as the leader in the race. Even through his legal battles and supposed scandals, Trump continues to hold a significant lead in early Republican primary polls as DeSantis appears to be the only other Republican candidate who has a chance to upend Trump’s shot for a second term in the White House.