Trump’s former chief of staff, Mark Meadows says that despite rumors and poll numbers Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will not mount a presidential campaign against Donald Trump in 2024 if he decides to run. Meadows’ insight comes after DeSantis recently edged out Trump in the Western Conservative Summit’s straw poll.
The Washington Examiner reports:
“Gov. DeSantis has made it very, very clear that he is running for reelection as governor of Florida, but he doesn’t shy away from being very bold in terms of the initiatives that he’s putting forth,” the former House Freedom Caucus chairman stated, citing three days he recently spent with DeSantis in California. “His reelect for governor is a platform to show that the policies, and the boldness, and, quite frankly, the courage.”
“You know, I think Ron DeSantis is identified across the country now for the courage that he shows for conservative solutions, and he would be the first to say that if President Trump gets in, that he would win the nomination and would clear the field, and so I don’t ever see it being a 2016 primary scenario,” Meadows continued. “That being said, Gov. DeSantis won’t even — he’s asked over and over and over again every time I’m in his presence — he’s been asked, ‘Are you running in 2024?'”
“His answer has been consistent: He is running for reelection for governor of the state that not only he loves, but one that is, quite frankly, well run because of his leadership.”
Trump recently scheduled his first post-White House rallies, a mainstay of his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, but his former top aide said that “his willingness to get back out” and hold rallies “is more about him connecting with the people and bringing forth that message, and a ‘thank you’ for their willingness to stay in the battle and keep America first.”
Former President Trump and his family are well aware of the Florida Republicans’ popularity amongst the base. In an interview with The Washington Examiner, Donald Trump Jr. was asked who he believed would be the Republican nominee should his father choose not to run and he also named DeSantis as his top choice.
