Trump campaign hits back at 'sad little man' DeSantis’ criticism of potential VP pick

21 February 2024

Former President Donald Trump 2024 campaign staffers slammed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Wednesday following the Sunshine State leader's remarks advising the MAGA hopeful against playing "identity politics" as he considers his choice for vice president, NBC reports.

The GOP governor's comments come almost exactly one month after he suspended his 2024 campaign, before endorsing Trump for the nomination.

"Now we have a diverse Republican Party. I want everybody in the fold, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t want people representing 10, 15% of the party being in the driver’s seat," DeSantis said to over 200 supporters on a 34-minute video call, according to NBC. "So I would want somebody that, if something happened, the people that voted us in would have been pleased to know that they’re going to continue the mission. I’m not sure that those are going to necessarily be the criteria that Donald Trump uses... I have heard that they’re looking more in identity politics. I think that’s a mistake. I think you should just focus on who the best person for the job would be, and then do that accordingly."

Politico reports during the former president's Tuesday, February 20 Greenville, South Carolina town hall, Fox News "host Laura Ingraham asked Trump about six possible choices for his running mate: DeSantis, [US Senator Tim] Scott (R-South Carolina), biotech entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and [US Rep. Tulsi] Gabbard (I-Hawaii)."

Trump confirmed that he's considering them all to be his running mate. "Honestly all of those people are good. They’re all good, they’re all solid," he said."

The MAGA hopeful's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, hit back at DeSantis, telling NBC, "Ron DeSantis failed miserably in his presidential campaign and does not have a voice in selecting the next vice president of the United States. Rather than throw cheap shots from afar, Ron should focus on what he can do to fire [President] Joe Biden and Make America Great Again."

Chris LaCivita, a Trump adviser, responded to DeSantis comments via X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Chicken fingers and pudding cups is what you will be remembered for you sad little man."

NBC's full report is available at this link. Politico's report is here.

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