GOP lawmakers offer blistering opinions of Trump’s attempt to tank Ron DeSantis

Republican lawmakers are not pleased with the path former President Donald Trump is embarking on with his new presidential campaign.

In true Trump fashion, he's already resorted to taking personal digs at his opponents, some of whom have not even officially entered the presidential race.

Now, Republican lawmakers are weighing in with their take on his personal brand of hardball politics, namely his attacks on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

READ MORE: Why 'massive bully' Ron DeSantis 'would be no better' than Donald Trump as president: columnist

Lawmakers have tapped in following Trump's latest remarks about the Republican governor. The former president recently recalled an interaction with DeSantis where he claims the governor cried and begged for his endorsement back in 2018.

“He was dead as a dog; he was a dead politician. He would have been working perhaps for a law firm or doing something else,” Trump told a group of reporters.

“I winced in 2016 and I’m wincing now,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) when asked about the former president's attempts to play political hardball. “That’s just because that’s not my style. I don’t think you’ll ever take the New York style out of Donald Trump. It’s too much to ask, he’s a fully-baked cake."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) also echoed similar sentiments saying, “Why anyone feels it’s necessary as part of a campaign to be nasty and personal is beyond me. It doesn’t have to be. Talk about the issues.”

READ MORE: Watch: Trump supporters crash Ron DeSantis’ book signing and are forced to leave the premises

On Wednesday, March 15, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) also weighed in with his take on Trump's repeated attempts to target DeSantis.

“That’s his style. If you’re going to be in the arena, you should expect that,” Thune said. “Yes, I would like to keep it focused on the issues. I think there’s plenty to talk about, lots of contrasts you can draw with Democrats. I’d rather [they] keep their fire focused on them instead of each other."

While most expect a very long road to 2024, others have admitted that they are quite surprised that Trump's antics have kicked off so soon.

“Whenever you’re going to have a hard-fought primary as opposed as opposed to something that has consensus, there’s going to be injury from the warfare,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.). “It looks like it’s getting started very early.”

READ MORE: Ron DeSantis sending 'very dangerous sign' to GOP voters — and Trump’s worried: religious scholar