Trump and DeSantis Engage in Heated Duel of New Hampshire Campaign Events

The rivalry between former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis intensified on Tuesday as the two prominent Republican contenders for the White House exchanged barbs during competing events in the crucial early voting state of New Hampshire.

During a town hall in Hollis, DeSantis pledged to fulfill Trump’s unfinished goal of constructing a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He also vowed to dismantle the traditional power centers in Washington, D.C., which Trump fell short of accomplishing during his presidency.

Trump, speaking at a Republican women’s luncheon in Concord, countered by suggesting that DeSantis was settling for second place in the primary race and accused the governor of supporting cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs as a means of reducing federal spending.

In addition to their verbal jabs, these simultaneous events highlighted the evolving strategies of each candidate. DeSantis, unlike his previous visit to New Hampshire where he was criticized for being rigid and scripted, engaged extensively with the audience by answering their questions, a well-known practice in New Hampshire politics.

On the other hand, Trump delivered an unscripted speech for over an hour. He did not take questions in Concord, and journalists covering the event were restricted to a designated area, closely monitored even when using the restroom, and prohibited from interacting with attendees. However, the former president did respond to questions at a later stop in Manchester, where he inaugurated his New Hampshire campaign office.

When asked about voters who supported Trump based on his promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington, DeSantis used the opportunity to draw sharp contrasts between himself and the former president. According to DeSantis, Trump failed to deliver on his promise, stating that the swamp has become worse than ever and can easily be replenished by a subsequent president. DeSantis emphasized his goal of breaking the existing swamp by reducing the number of employees in Cabinet agencies, thereby decentralizing power away from Washington.

DeSantis has been attempting to challenge Trump’s grip on the national Republican Party. At his town hall, he criticized the GOP’s “culture of losing” under Trump and highlighted the lack of a predicted “massive red wave” during the 2022 midterm elections, contrasting it with his own successful re-election campaign in Florida.

While many leading Republicans remain staunchly loyal to Trump, there are signs that the attacks against him are resonating. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, expressed uncertainty about Trump’s strength in the upcoming election, although he acknowledged that Trump could potentially win. McCarthy’s comments reflect a shift in perceptions compared to 2016, with Trump now being perceived as stronger than before.

In his own speech, Trump emphasized his strong leads in primary polls. He seized on DeSantis’ remarks about potential bipartisan efforts to strengthen Social Security for younger individuals while ensuring benefits for older adults, suggesting that DeSantis would eventually pursue cuts to these programs. Trump reiterated his commitment to “drain the swamp” but directed his criticism primarily at President Joe Biden rather than targeting the Florida governor.

Regarding the Capitol riot of January 2021, DeSantis distanced himself from any involvement and emphasized the need to move forward rather than dwell on past events. In contrast, Trump continued to make baseless claims about election fraud, insinuating that he was denied a second term. However, numerous officials, courts, and even some of Trump’s own campaign staff have repeatedly stated that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The simultaneous campaign events underscored the significance of New Hampshire as the first state to hold a Republican primary, influencing the selection of the party’s presidential nominee. While Iowa and South Carolina have traditionally garnered more attention, particularly due to the dominance of evangelical Christians, candidates are now targeting the more libertarian-leaning electorate of New Hampshire to test their messages.

Trump’s victory in the 2016 New Hampshire Republican primary, following his loss in Iowa, played a crucial role in his subsequent rise to prominence within the party. However, Democratic candidates prevailed in the state during the 2016 and 2020 general elections.

Ahead of his speech, Trump announced the formation of his New Hampshire team, comprising over 150 dedicated activists and organizers spread across the state’s ten counties.

One supporter, Sabrina Antle from Henniker, expressed her admiration for Trump but also acknowledged DeSantis as a capable candidate, though she questioned whether he possessed Trump’s assertiveness and attitude.

DeSantis’ decision to schedule his town hall concurrently with the Republican Women’s luncheon drew criticism from some members of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women. They viewed it as an attempt to divert attention from their event and highlighted that other presidential candidates had planned their schedules around it.

Nevertheless, DeSantis seized the opportunity during his town hall to discuss his newly unveiled immigration policy proposal, recognizing the potential to engage GOP voters, even those located far from the U.S.-Mexico border. He stressed the urgency of building the wall, emphasizing how enhanced border security could help combat the devastating impact of opioid addiction, which has significantly affected New Hampshire and the nation as a whole.

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• Rivalry between Trump and DeSantis deepens with dueling New Hampshire campaign events
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
• Former President Donald Trump
• New Hampshire primary
• GOP primary race
• U.S.-Mexico border wall
• Social Security and Medicare
• Election fraud claims
• New Hampshire electorate
• DeSantis’ immigration policy proposal
• Republican campaign strategies