Leak shows Ron DeSantis wrestling with how not to 'cheat' Trump voters

Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, at a press conference in Israel last month. Photo: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg. Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, is wrestling with how he can stand up to Donald Trump without «pissing off» the former president's voters.

The 44-year-old is widely known as Mr. Trump's Strongest Rival for the presidential nomination from the Republicans in 2024.

He faced verbal attack from Trump, who nicknamed him «Ron DeSanktimonius» amid speculation that he could run for office as early as next month.< /p>

But Mr. DeSantis has struggled to resist Mr. well, Trump and separate himself from the former president without angering his Make America Great Again base, which will play a key role in deciding the GOP primary.

Leaked Video of Mr. DeSantis preparing for a debate in 2018, when he first ran for governor, shows him grappling with the same issue.

Footage leaked to ABC News shows Matt Goetz, flamboyant Republican congressman. helping Mr. DeSantis get ready. Mr. Goetz asks him if he disagrees with Trump on any issue.

Mr. DeSantis takes a deep breath and replies, «I've got to figure out how to do it.»

Struggling with & #39; attractiveness'

He goes on to say, «Obviously, because, I mean, I voted against him in Congress.» He added: «I have to phrase it in a way that doesn't piss off all of his constituents.»

The videos also show Mr. DeSantis and his team dealing with his «sympathy issues.» — a weak point that Mr. Trump has already seized on.

At one point, an aide suggests that Mr. DeSantis write the word “PLEASANT” in capital letters at the top of the pad when he gets to the debate stage — to remind him not to sound harsh in his responses.

Mr. DeSantis raised his profile in the country by enthusiastically promoting America's culture wars.

Self-proclaimed anti-revival governor , attracted an early surge of interest from donors and Republican strategists looking for an alternative to the 76-year-old Trump.

But he has alarmed some influential donors with claims that he lacks charisma and that he cannot engage in traditional politics retail, which is critical. to win the sympathy of Republican voters in the primaries.