What the Manhattan DA’s office taught us about a Trump vs. DeSantis 2024 contest

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is bringing a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump that could reveal how current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, could handle Trump if they go head-to-head in the 2024 Republican primary campaign.

DeSantis condemned the potential indictment, which he believes is politically motivated, while subtly pointing out that it highlights former President Trump’s lack of fitness for the nomination. In contrast, Trump immediately responded by attacking DeSantis even further.

One potential area where DeSantis could differentiate himself is in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has pushed back against lockdowns and other aggressive measures, which many Republicans support. Conversely, Trump has criticized DeSantis’s handling of the pandemic in Florida.

DeSantis has also contrasted himself with Trump without mentioning the former president by name. For example, he emphasized how he makes sound personnel choices and focuses on the task at hand while claiming that he has not had to pay hush money to porn stars or deal with leaks and drama within his team.

Trump, on the other hand, has repeatedly attacked DeSantis and anyone else who opposes him, often with little regard for plausibility.

While there are risks for Trump in attacking fellow Republicans too aggressively, his tactics have worked in the past. It remains to be seen which candidate Republican primary voters will prefer: the competent conservative governor who embodies Reagan’s style or the Trump imitator who engages in political knife fights.

Ultimately, the language of the campaign is starting to take shape. It is pitting an understated study in contrasts against a full-fledged political knife fight against a combatant given to overstatement.

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