There is no love lost between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). It seems nearly every week, DeSantis makes a name for himself in national
headlines
, strengthening his exposure and appeal and contrasting himself with Trump in a positive way. Despite what some Trump loyalists think, DeSantis owes Trump nothing.
Republicans should thank Trump for his term in office and what he accomplished — and direct him to the exit. Voters ushered him into power in 2016, and many still supported him in 2020. What has transpired since then (not to mention some of what occurred during his time in office) is more than enough to discourage further support, even among those who once ardently admired him.
DESANTIS BACKHANDS TRUMP WITH PERFECT COMEBACK: I GOT REELECTED
Yet Trump seems surprised that anyone would be willing to consider someone other than himself for GOP nominee. At a recent event, Trump
said
of DeSantis, “If he runs, that’s fine. I’m way up in the polls. I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over.” This is absurd. Trump is not a kingmaker. And the
results
of the midterm elections show that tethering oneself to Trump can be an absolute electoral disaster.
Thankfully, some Republicans in Congress are getting vocal about Trump’s petulance as it is directed toward DeSantis. As
reported
by the Hill, “Republican senators who view Trump as a drag on candidates in last year’s midterm elections, say it’s up to DeSantis to decide whether to run for the White House and he doesn’t owe any special deference to Trump.”
This perspective should be standard across the board. Trump may have endorsed DeSantis in his 2018 gubernatorial bid, but DeSantis stands on his own. This has been proven time and again during his time as governor. And unlike Trump, DeSantis won reelection, a fact DeSantis was
quick to bring up
as Trump continues to attack.
It would behoove Republicans, elected politicians, and voters to steer clear of professing allegiance to Trump. He has had his chance. It’s a good and healthy thing for him to be challenged. This is true in general, but even more so as his ability to win a third contest against a Democratic Party opponent is rightly called into question. For too long, Trump has been the de facto leader of the Republican Party. That may be fine when it comes to fundraising or drumming up the base, but in terms of actual, elected leadership, his time has passed.
The disappointing showing in the midterm elections is a reminder that conservatism faces a difficult battle both socially and electorally. President Joe Biden’s struggle with approval ratings in no way means Trump would beat him in another election.
Conservatism is not about unwavering commitment to one politician. That Trump views a possible DeSantis run as “disloyal” is a red flag. Trump’s ambitions for another term in the White House aren’t reason enough to hand him the nomination. The same thing can be said for DeSantis.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
said
it best: “[I]t’s not a matter of disloyalty. The person who best articulates a future agenda for the country will emerge from the Republican primary, and it’s not a foregone conclusion who that will be.”
There is quite a bit of time between now and the primary season. More candidates will enter the race. None of them, including Trump, are guaranteed the nomination based on sheer will and size of ego. The only loyalty in question should be the commitment to our nation’s strength and advancement by way of conservative ideals.
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Kimberly Ross (
@SouthernKeeks
) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
