“Gutless” & “Dull” — Backroom DeSantis vs. Trump Fighting Escalates into Public Feud

National Journal: “Trump is only going to escalate his rhetoric against DeSantis, so the Florida governor, and the Republican Party, will have to tread carefully.”

The once-simmering feud between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis is boiling over into a full-on public brawl as DeSantis has made it clear his only goal as governor is to boost his own political profile, with the New York Times writing: “That long-stewing resentment burst into public view recently in a dispute…” 

Axios added that “Donald Trump is trashing Ron DeSantis in private as an ingrate with a ‘dull personality,’” while noting Trump has also called him someone with “no personal charisma.”

Meanwhile, National Journal noted: “Trump is only going to escalate his rhetoric against DeSantis, so the Florida governor, and the Republican Party, will have to tread carefully.”

This most recent dust-up started after DeSantis refused to reveal whether or not he had received a COVID booster, leading Trump to blast him as “gutless.” DeSantis shot back at Trump in a right-wing podcast appearance, saying one of his biggest regrets was not opposing Donald Trump’s early COVID response.

DeSantis isn’t the first sitting GOP governor to face incoming attacks from Trump. Governors like Brian Kemp and Mike DeWine are facing Trump-encouraged primaries, while Charlie Baker was forced to not run for re-election.

“As Ron DeSantis continues to only care about boosting his own political profile, there’s no doubt his nasty fight with Donald Trump is just getting started,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “Trump has already attacked and completely derailed the re-elections of other vulnerable GOP governors around the country — and it looks like DeSantis may be next.”