Some top donors to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) don’t think the governor can take on former President Trump in 2024, NBC reports.
Many of DeSantis’ top supporters are reportedly divided, with some thinking he should announce his presidential run soon and begin directly attacking Trump. Others think he should avoid the brutal battle against Trump altogether and hold off until 2028.
Per the report, a group of the Florida governor’s allies met at a luncheon following the annual Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach, Florida.
NBC noted that one meeting attendee called the crowd a mixed bag of DeSantis supporters and Trump “skeptics.”
“They liked him — many of them might even support him,” the individual said, speaking of DeSantis. “But they thought on balance that his long-term future was better without him trying to take Trump head on.”
The attendee added that many of those present at the meeting thought DeSantis would get “scarred up” in a political battle against Trump.
Another source told NBC that one of DeSantis’ top financial contributors, billionaire Richard Uihlein, has paused all donations because of the governor’s recent poor performance in the polls.
“The brakes are pumped,” the source said. “The polling really made different people pause.”
This comes as Trump has been increasing the rhetoric between himself and the former governor, referring to DeSantis as “Ron DeSanctimonioius” and attacking him on Truth Social.
“DeSantis is doing a book tour. He’s barnstorming the country, and his polls are going down,” a GOP strategist said of the meeting. “Meanwhile, Trump’s potentially under indictment, and Trump’s going up. It’s just not a good look for DeSantis.”