'You sad little man': Why Trump staffers are ranting against DeSantis

During a phone conversation with his supporters on Wednesday, February 21, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to NBC News, expressed his concerns about the "baggage" that 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump will bring to the general election if, as expected, he is the nominee.

DeSantis' comments during the call weren't scathing but rather, more along the lines of constructive criticism. The Florida governor, who endorsed Trump — not South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — after ending his presidential campaign, cautioned against relying on "identity politics" when choosing a running mate. And he warned against picking someone who only appeals to "10, 15 percent of the party."

But Trump's supporters can be easily triggered even by mild criticism, and William Kristol and Andrew Egger of the conservative website The Bulwark report that some staffers have been angrily railing against DeSantis in response to this comments.

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On X, formerly Twitter, Trump adviser Chris LaCivita said of DeSantis, "Chicken fingers and pudding cups is what you will be remembered for you sad little man."

Trump ally Jason Miller tweeted, "We looked past Rob's half-hearted endorsement and the bullshit trip to South Carolina to try to stay relevant, but if his popping off continues, Thor's hammer will return."

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung tweeted, "Ron tucked his tail between his legs and he should have scurried off into the shadows of obscurity. Now that he's dipped his high-heeled toes back in the water, he might just find out our shovel can dig a lot deeper."

Kristol and Egger argue that Trump staffers were furious that DeSantis was willing to "offer public criticisms of the frontrunner's decision-making at all."

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The Bulwark writers observe, "It was a remarkable amount of ire to direct at a guy who dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Trump more than a month ago — not to mention one who remains hugely popular with Republican base voters…. It's a reminder, if you needed another one, that there's only one criterion for being a member of the MAGA movement in good standing: a perpetual willingness to kiss the ring."

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Read The Bulwark's full column at this link.