Donald Trump warns party rival Ron DeSantis not to run for president in 2024

Donald Trump on Tuesday warned party rival Ron DeSantis not to run for president in 2024 and threatened to reveal information about him if he did. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said: “I think if he runs he could hurt himself very badly. I think the base would not like it – I don’t think it would be good for the party.”

The former US president also warned that he would tell reporters “things” about the Florida governor “that won’t be very flattering”.

Trump is expected to announce his third run for the Republican presidential nomination later this month, seeking to piggyback predicted Republican success in Tuesday’s midterm elections. On Monday, at a pre-midterms rally in Ohio, he indicated an announcement could come in Florida on 15 November.

DeSantis has emerged as the most powerful rival to Trump in Republican circles, governing his state with rightwing policies popular with the party’s Trumpist base. DeSantis, on course to be re-elected as governor of Florida, has sometimes awkwardly avoided questions about his presidential ambitions but has also been reported to be considering waiting for 2028, when Trump will be constitutionally barred from running again.

Trump attacked DeSantis last week, calling him “Ron DeSanctimonious” during remarks at a rally in Pennsylvania. He discussed the governor again while speaking to reporters on his plane on Monday night.

Rawr

Article URL : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/08/donald-trump-ron-desantis-2024-president-campaign