Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' rival GOP candidate Nikki Haley finally criticized Donald Trump Tuesday during a New Hampshire event, after months of failing to call out the MAGA hopeful, who remains the GOP frontrunner.
An Iowa Republican voter hammered DeSantis for refusing to do the same during a Wednesday Waukee, Iowa town hall, according to ABC News. Christopher Garcia, 75, asked the GOP governor "why he hasn't 'gone directly' after Trump."
"I mean, you're -- in my viewpoint, you're going pretty soft on him," Garcia added.
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"I've articulated all the differences time and time again on the campaign trail," DeSantis replied, alleging "the news media" wants GOP "candidates to 'smear' each other with personal attacks," according to The New York Times. "That's just not how I roll," the Florida leader said.
Following the back-and-forth between the governor and Garcia, ABC reports the news outlet's Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott asked DeSantis about the exchange, whether or not "his strategy is working and whether he needs to draw a sharper contrast with Trump."
Urging Trump to attend the next Republican debate — because he's skipped them all — DeSantis said, "Let's have a debate. Let's get up on the stage. And let's trade visions for the country."
ABC reports the governor emphasized "he differs from Trump because he will deliver on promises and have a plan to get things accomplished."
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