President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, throughout a go to to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Level, Fla., March 29, 2019. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Related Press
Former President Donald Trump attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and stated he reminds him of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, as Trump tries to outline DeSantis earlier than a doable matchup within the Republican presidential major.
Trump tried to outline DeSantis as a fiscal conservative who has tried to reform Social Safety and Medicare, whereas DeSantis has stated he doesn't wish to “mess” with Social Safety.
The previous president made the feedback whereas campaigning in Iowa on Monday. DeSantis is polling properly in Iowa and New Hampshire, and Trump continues to step up his assaults on the Florida governor, who's his largest competitor for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.
DeSantis has but to announce a run for president, however is anticipated to within the subsequent few months.
Along with evaluating him to Romney, Trump referred to as DeSantis a “disciple” of former Republican Home Speaker Paul Ryan, who was Romney’s 2012 working mate. He stated Ryan was a “RINO” who “consistently voted in opposition to entitlements.”
“Paul Ryan is a giant cause that Mitt Romney — I’m not a giant fan of Mitt Romney — misplaced his election,” Trump stated to a crowd in Davenport, Iowa. “And to be sincere with you, Ron jogs my memory numerous Mitt Romney so I don’t assume you’re going to be doing so properly right here. However we’re going to search out out.”
Trump: Ron was a disciple of Paul Ryan. Who's a loser who's destroying fox..
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 13, 2023
And to be sincere with you, Ron jogs my memory numerous Mitt Romney pic.twitter.com/em4ZKCRXow
Trump additionally attacked DeSantis for his previous positions on ethanol mandates, a giant concern for Iowa farmers, and for his votes on Social Safety when he served in Congress. Trump claimed DeSantis wished to “decimate” authorities welfare packages.
“I cannot be chopping Medicare or Social Safety,” Trump stated. “And we’re leaving the age restrict.”
Nonetheless, DeSantis stated earlier this month that Republicans are “not going to mess with Social Safety.”
Are Romney and DeSantis related?
Trump referenced Romney’s loss within the 2012 presidential basic election as a sign that DeSantis “received’t do very properly right here.” However Trump didn’t point out that Romney almost received that 12 months’s GOP presidential caucuses in Iowa. He garnered over 24% of the vote and was solely 34 votes shy of ending in first place.
Romney’s workplace didn't reply to the Deseret Information’ request for remark for this text. The Utah senator has made it clear he won't assist Trump within the 2024 presidential race however has not stated who he would assist.
Romney and DeSantis have each referred to as for entitlement reform. Whereas serving in Congress, DeSantis voted to lift the retirement age to 70. CNN additionally reported that in 2012 DeSantis expressed assist for Ryan’s price range proposal that might have partially privatized Medicare.
“I might embrace proposals like Paul Ryan supplied, and different individuals have supplied, which might be going to offer some market forces in there, extra shopper alternative, and make it in order that it’s not simply mainly a system that’s simply going to be bankrupt when you will have new individuals coming into it,” DeSantis informed the St. Augustine Document in 2012.
Final 12 months, Romney revealed an op-ed after the midterm elections calling for each events to handle the “entitlement disaster” so as to rein in federal spending.
He stated reform is an inevitability, whereas additionally saying, “some mixture of adjustments to revenues, advantages and eligibility is critical together with a promise that no program can be eradicated and present and near-retirees received’t be affected.”
DeSantis’ response to Trump’s assaults
DeSantis was requested Monday night by Fox Information host Brian Kilmeade about Trump labeling him as a Ryan or Jeb Bush-style Republican. Bush is the previous governor of Florida and a 2016 presidential candidate.
DeSantis shook his head earlier than responding.
“When you will have a file of feat, individuals can name you a reputation however that’s not going to trump the achievements,” he stated.
Concerning his status amongst voters, DeSantis stated he ought to be outlined by his file as governor. “I’m outlined by my accomplishments. I’m outlined by main this state, and I’m outlined by having a state which is the primary vacation spot for People who're on the lookout for a greater lifestyle.”
DeSantis has not but introduced a proper marketing campaign for president, however political insiders count on him to after the Florida legislative session ends in Might. DeSantis has hinted at utilizing the state legislative session to assist individuals see him “doing” fairly than speaking about political positions.
“I feel what you’ll see over the following few months — by doing — is the most effective factor I can probably do, not just for this state, however for the individuals me and sizing me up,” he stated.