DeSantis Sidesteps Trump’s Legal Troubles While Wooing Conservatives in Trump Stronghold

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In a bid to court conservative voters in Nevada, an area densely populated with Trump supporters, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis focused his criticism on Walt Disney World and the U.S. Justice Department, while deftly avoiding mention of his key Republican competitor, Donald Trump.

Decrying the current state of the nation, Governor DeSantis asserted that the U.S. has veered dramatically off course, with “insanity reigning supreme”. However, during his first appearance in front of Nevada Republicans as a presidential candidate, DeSantis remained silent on the recent indictment of Trump for mishandling classified documents.

DeSantis pledged to terminate what he views as the politicization of government, delivering his remarks from a uniquely decorated podium, featuring hay bales and bull horns. His avoidance of the Trump indictment issue is notable, especially as other Republican presidential hopefuls grapple with their responses to the situation.

The question remains whether DeSantis can outpace Trump in the polls by sidestepping this contentious issue. This debate unfolded while DeSantis attempted to win over the crowd at the annual Basque Fry in Nevada, a gathering that attracted more than 2,000 conservative attendees, many of whom are Trump loyalists.

DeSantis’ team is confident that their candidate is in a strong position to compete with Trump in Nevada, a crucial early-voting state in the upcoming presidential primary contest. Aside from his campaign against ‘woke’ culture, DeSantis is banking on his personal relationship with prominent Republican leader Adam Laxalt, a former state attorney general and old friend, who is serving as the chairman of DeSantis’ national super PAC.

Despite Laxalt’s endorsement of DeSantis, there was minimal applause from the audience when early speakers lauded DeSantis as the Republican party’s best chance for the 2024 elections. Several voters expressed that their support for DeSantis would only emerge if Trump were not a choice on the ballot.

DeSantis focused on showcasing his combative political stance when he took to the stage, with Disney being a particular target. He accused the entertainment giant of “supporting the sexualization of minors”, an ongoing feud that began when Disney publicly opposed legislation concerning lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. In retaliation, DeSantis assumed control of Disney World’s governing district through legislative means, establishing a new board of supervisors.

The setting for DeSantis’ speech was the Basque Fry, an annual gathering hosted by Laxalt. This event has gained importance in the Republican presidential circuit, attracting rising stars aiming to advance their White House aspirations by engaging with voters and sampling local delicacies.

Amidst the political discourse, there were individuals like Carlene Rader, a retiree from Carson City, who expressed a preference for DeSantis over Trump, particularly in light of the allegations against Trump as detailed in the recent federal indictment. This indictment accuses the former president of illegal storage and attempted concealment of classified documents at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.

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• Ron DeSantis’ political profile
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• Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
• Basque Fry event details
• Adam Laxalt’s political profile