Did DeSantis’ bumpy campaign launch hand Trump an advantage? Trump’s team finds amusement in DeSantis’s shaky start
Ron DeSantis who has recently entered the race for the 2024 presidential election, encountered an array of technical issues during his campaign’s inaugural event, which took place on Twitter Spaces.
His mishaps were gleefully exploited by individuals from President Trump’s inner circle, who saw this as an opportunity to undermine a formidable competitor.
However, Trump’s campaign team paid more attention to the topics discussed during DeSantis’s dialogue with Elon Musk, Twitter’s CEO, David Sacks, a billionaire, and several right-wing personalities, as opposed to the faulty technical execution of the event.
The Trump team spent considerable time analyzing the transcript of DeSantis’ discussion, which, interestingly, reflected his intense focus on the issues favored by a dedicated online segment of the Republican base. The governor’s conversation was dominated by acronyms like “DEI,” “ESG,” and “CRT,” while the topic of “inflation” was scarcely mentioned – an issue the Trump campaign regards as pivotal for the 2024 election.
A member of Trump’s campaign operation commented that DeSantis appears to be excessively invested in online matters and that his campaign might primarily appeal to people who are heavily engaged with Twitter, adding, “Regrettably, that’s not the demographic where Iowa caucus voters are located.”
The event’s content was deemed a “total disaster” by a former Trump campaign adviser, who further noted that the issues discussed did not seem to resonate with ordinary Americans.
The criticism continued with Donald Trump Jr. expressing disapproval over DeSantis’ “effeminate” and “nasal” voice during a Thursday night event.
Following the campaign’s launch, DeSantis had several interviews with conservative or right-leaning media outlets. He attempted to draw clear policy distinctions between himself and Trump without launching direct attacks on the former president. The governor asserted that his position on Trump’s fiscal and immigration policies was more conservative.
Despite his efforts, the DeSantis campaign has faced difficulties in managing the narrative of their campaign launch, particularly in controlling the optics surrounding it, leading to widespread mockery. Team Trump further fuelled this by commissioning a satirical rendition of DeSantis’ Twitter Spaces launch, featuring faux appearances by Dick Cheney, George Soros, and Satan.
As the governor continued to rollout his campaign, even hosting an event at the Four Seasons Hotel with top donors and supporters, his moves seemed to provide additional ammunition for Trump’s allies. Pro-Trump consultant Alex Breusewitz predicted DeSantis would fail in his presidential bid, similar to those who have previously tried to challenge Trump.
Supporters of the former president seemed more than ready to don their MAGA caps and express their pride, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a previous ally of DeSantis and staunch supporter of Trump’s potential 2024 run. Gaetz was seen on Thursday wearing a red MAGA hat, stating he was “feeling pretty good” about showing his team’s colors.
