Governor Ron DeSantis has managed to stay somewhat impressively on-task in the State of Florida.
Of course, it’s the awful task of stamping out anything that sounds like “DEI” type of education or involves some kind of COVID follow-up rule. (“DEI” stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Because who wants to learn more about this diverse planet, respect everyone equally, and be sure to include people who have been marginalized?) Given that it is is Black History month, DeSantis will likely be busy ensuring that little to no black history is taught lest it be confused with “CRT” – which merely wants all of Americans’ history covered.
So, in effect, DeSantis doesn’t have time to go one on one with Trump and DeSantis is doing the most effective campaigning by giving the Florida MAGAs what they want. It must drive Trump crazy. Trump tells us that DeSantis (And 50% of other Republican candidates) was in tears because he was going nowhere and needed a boost. Keep in mind, Trump says the same thing about Mitch McConnell, who was never threatened in Kentucky. DeSantis definitely benefitted from Trump’s endorsement, Trump likely did lift DeSantis over Putnam in 2018. But DeSantis did win in 2022 by A LOT and didn’t need Trump for anything anymore.
Trump is angry that he’s not able to get into a spitting fight with DeSantis. Not that any of us like DeSantis but it is wonderful seeing a guy drive Trump crazy by ignoring him. From the Hugh Hewitt Show:
“He had nothing! He was dead, he was leaving the race, he came over and he begged me, begged me, for an endorsement. He was getting ready to drop out.
“There were tears coming down from his eyes. He said, ‘If you endorse me, I’ll win.’ So I end up doing it, and he wins.
If you really break it down and pretend Trump can tell the truth, he is saying that he endorsed DeSantis because DeSantis cried.
“They say it was like a bomb went off. Just a bomb totally went off. From the moment I endorsed him, he went from losing by numbers that were not catchable to winning easily.
“I got him past the crackhead [Andrew Gillum], who was the hottest person in the Democratic Party at the time.” – Trump, in an interview today with Hugh Hewitt.
Trump may have lifted DeSantis up over Putnam in the primary but given a Democrat hasn’t won statewide in Florida in forever, the “I got him past the crackhead (Gillum)” is ridiculous.
So why does this matter? Well, in Trump’s world, if he does a favor for someone by helping them with an endorsement, that person owes Trump lifetime loyalty. We have seen it over and over again. A person is fantastic until he or she does something Trump doesn’t like.
Trump doesn’t like that DeSantis would likely win if the primaries were held today, and he doesn’t like DeSantis “running” against him – even though DeSantis hasn’t declared – and Trump damned sure doesn’t like being ignored. Trump once said that he prized “loyalty” over every other quality in an employee, or co-worker, over competence, over results, over success. Loyalty rises above because he needs a subservient group around him, which is how one winds up with Kash Patel looking to be in the cabinet if Trump were to win in 2024.
Last thing, Trump said basically the same thing about Nikki Haley, who reversed her promise not to oppose Trump and is seriously considering running. (Good luck, Nikki. They want another strongman). From Truth Social, Trump said:
Nikki has to follow her heart, not her honor. She should definitely run!
Nikki did say she wouldn’t challenge Trump. DeSantis never promised a thing, so there is a difference, not one Trump would really recognize.
People see that even Trump’s own people said that he lacked energy last weekend campaigning in New Hampshire and South Carolina. He wants a cleared field so he doesn’t have to work for it. It’s just not going to happen. He isn’t strong enough right now.
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[email protected], @JasonMiciak, SUBSTACK: PROGRAMS FOR YOUR HOUSE INVESTIGATIONS, PRO-WRESTLING STYLE
Tears in his eye huh?
Bet he called Trump “Sir”!
If death sentence did go to former guy for his blessing, the fact he felt he had to do it that way is likely a good reason for teary eyes. Had to be a pretty shameful experience and knowing the world would know he did it-hell, that is blubber-worthy.
If DeSantis had tears in his eyes it was because he forgot to take his daily dose of the GOP’s miracle Shame Suppressant Drug – SSD) when he woke up that morning. And experienced actual humiliation at having to give Trump two things – a handjob on the spot and the promise of another one upon demand, anytime anywhere in the future. And signed his name in blood to the contract for the latter so Trump has a “receipt.”