Trump’s Influence Persists in Florida as Gov. DeSantis Seeks to Shift Focus

At the Florida Republican Party’s Freedom Summit, a stand vending Donald Trump-themed items—from socks to rubber ducks—did a brisk trade on Saturday, signaling the ex-president’s continued popularity.

Conversely, merchandise bearing the name of Governor Ron DeSantis saw significant price reductions, with T-shirts being sold at $5, a sharp decline from the original $25 tag. Vendor Peter Crotty explained the markdown as a move to clear out surplus stock, indicating a possible wane in local enthusiasm for the governor.

This was a telling indication of the dynamics shaping the 2024 Republican primary, with Trump leveraging his influence to overshadow DeSantis in their mutual base of Florida. As the time nears for the first nominating contests, the former president is demonstrating his supremacy, much to the delight of party faithfuls who readily showed their support and disapproval in equal measure during the event.

In other developments, GOP Representative Ken Buck has signaled his intent to question the party’s trajectory under Trump with his departure from the House. Additionally, a judge, referencing Trump’s consistent public remarks, has ordered an anonymous jury in an upcoming defamation suit trial. The question also looms whether Trump is eligible to run in the next presidential election, contingent on interpretations of “insurrection.”

Governor DeSantis, addressing the audience, boasted of Florida’s conservative achievements under his leadership, stating that the state was at the forefront of defeating left-leaning ideologies at an institutional level.

Yet, in a notable shift, the Trump campaign announced endorsements from several Florida lawmakers who had previously supported DeSantis, further consolidating Trump’s support within the state’s congressional delegation. These endorsements came closely on the heels of Senator Rick Scott, DeSantis’ predecessor, pledging allegiance to Trump—a move met with resounding approval from the attendees.

In a display of party division, Chris Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey and a 2024 hopeful, faced backlash from the crowd for criticizing Trump, who is currently dealing with multiple indictments.

Trump anticipated concluding the event with a speech on Saturday evening.

While the rivalry between DeSantis and Trump has become increasingly tense and personal, DeSantis has chosen to downplay the significance of the shifting support within Florida. Despite this, the battle for endorsements in Florida is emblematic of a larger strategic push by Trump’s campaign to undercut DeSantis’ narrative as an effective governor.

The upcoming week will see DeSantis participating in the third Republican debate in Miami, from which Trump has decided to abstain, opting instead for a separate event in Hialeah.

DeSantis, once considered a formidable contender for the presidency after a decisive gubernatorial win, now trails significantly behind Trump in the polls, tied with Nikki Haley in Iowa. The Trump campaign has seized on this, targeting DeSantis on various fronts, from his loyalty to his vigor.

Amidst this contentious backdrop, the campaign has descended into personal jibes, with DeSantis and Trump exchanging barbs over physical appearance and fortitude, reminiscent of the 2016 presidential race involving another Florida politician, Marco Rubio.

Florida’s state party members have also favored Trump by opposing a rule that would require primary candidates to support the final nominee, a commitment Trump himself has declined to make for the national debates.

As endorsements continue to lean towards Trump, the political landscape in Florida becomes fraught with tension for those who may consider opposing DeSantis, given his ongoing gubernatorial tenure.

The report also includes contributions from Big Big News writer Jill Colvin in New York, with the original reporting done by Barrow from Atlanta.

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More about Trump DeSantis Florida 2024

• Florida Republican Party’s Freedom Summit
• GOP Primary Fight Intensifies
• Trump’s Endorsement Impact
• Republican Debate Schedule
• GOP’s Direction Under Trump
• Trump vs. DeSantis in Florida
• 2024 Election Polls
• Political Merchandise Sales
• Republican Candidate Policies
• State Party Election Rules