Donald Trump, who is highly anticipated to run for president again in 2024, has threatened to release damaging information on Ron DeSantis the Republican governor of Florida if runs for president.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump stated, “So If he runs, he runs.” Trump, who referred to the gov. as “a terrific guy,” said that if DeSantis runs for president, he will reveal “things about him that will not be very appealing. I know more about him than anyone else, maybe except his wife, who is effectively driving his campaign.”
“I believe that if he decides to run, he’ll damage himself very terribly,” Trump told the newspaper. “I think he’d make a mistake,” he remarked. “I don’t believe the base will enjoy it.” According to Fox News Digital, Trump also stated that he doesn’t “believe that it will be very beneficial for the Republican party.”
Trump has hinted that he plans to make “a very major statement” next week at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 15. Following his mention of the imminent announcement, Trump went on to voice his support for the election of different Republican candidates across the country, including DeSantis.
Trump mocked DeSantis last week, calling him “Ron DeSanctimonious,” while the former president claimed this week that he supported the governor’s victory.
DeSantis, who defeated Democratic competitor Charlie Crist in the Sunshine State’s governor’s race in 2022, is a hugely popular personality on the political right who many see as a potential presidential candidate.
Crist formerly served as the governor of Florida from early 2007 to early 2011, having been elected as a Republican. Crist campaigned for the United States Senate as an independent in 2010 but was defeated by Republican Marco Rubio. Crist ran as a Democrat in Florida’s governor’s race in 2014, but lost to incumbent Republican Governor Scott. Crist served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat for numerous terms until resigning earlier this year to pursue his latest bid for governor.