Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis offered a stinging rebuke of rival Donald Trump, arguing that Trump would attempt to “de-legitimize the results” if he loses in an early nominating state such as Iowa or New Hampshire next month.
Quick Read
- DeSantis’ Criticism of Trump: Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis offered a strong criticism of rival Donald Trump, particularly regarding Trump’s potential reaction to losing early nominating states.
- Trump’s Anticipated Response to Loss: DeSantis suggested that if Trump loses in states like Iowa or New Hampshire, he will claim the results are stolen, citing Trump’s history of disputing election outcomes.
- Video Posted by Fox News Digital: The comments were made at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire, with the video posted online by Fox News Digital.
- Trump’s Favorability in Early States: Trump is heavily favored in the upcoming Republican caucuses in Iowa and the primary in New Hampshire.
- DeSantis’ Campaign Efforts: As the Governor of Florida, DeSantis has been actively campaigning to close the gap with Trump in these early states.
- 2020 Election View: DeSantis has previously stated his belief that Trump legitimately lost the 2020 election, a view Trump continues to dispute.
- Trump’s Legal Challenges: Trump faces multiple felony charges in federal and state courts related to his efforts to undermine the 2020 election results.
- Past Instances of Trump Claiming Fraud: DeSantis referenced Trump’s reaction to losing the 2016 Iowa caucuses to Senator Ted Cruz, suggesting a pattern in Trump’s behavior regarding election outcomes.
- Trump Campaign’s Response: A spokesperson for the Trump campaign accused DeSantis of resorting to conspiracy theories and Democrat talking points.
- DeSantis on Trump’s Campaign Style: DeSantis criticized Trump for not engaging in smaller, more interactive campaign events and not addressing tough questions from voters.
- Current Poll Standings: Recent polls indicate DeSantis is behind Trump in Iowa and trails both Trump and Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
- 2024 General Election Outlook: The Republican nominee, whether it be Trump, DeSantis, or another candidate, will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 general election.
Reuters has the story:
Ron DeSantis warns: Trump will cry fraud if he loses in early states
Newslooks- CONCORD, New Hampshire (Reuters)
Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis offered a stinging rebuke of rival Donald Trump, arguing that Trump would attempt to “de-legitimize the results” if he loses in an early nominating state such as Iowa or New Hampshire next month.
“If Trump loses, he will say it’s stolen no matter what, absolutely,” DeSantis said at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire.
Video from the event was posted on social media by Fox News Digital.
Former President Trump is heavily favored both in Iowa, which holds its Republican caucuses on Jan. 15, and New Hampshire, which holds its primary a week later. DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has been campaigning relentlessly of late trying to close the gap in the final weeks.
In past interviews, DeSantis has made clear that he believes Trump legitimately lost the 2020 election, something that Trump still publicly disputes. Trump has been charged both in federal court in Washington, D.C. and state court in Georgia with multiple felonies connected to his attempts to undermine the election.
At the New Hampshire event, DeSantis noted that Trump also cried fraud when he lost the 2016 Iowa caucuses to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and likely will complain if he loses this time around. “I think that’s to be expected, but I don’t think people are going to buy it,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Steven Cheung, responded to the remarks by charging that DeSantis had “turned to conspiracy theories and Democrat talking points.”
DeSantis also slammed Trump, who tends to favor large rallies, for not doing more small-scale events with voters.
“When was the last time he stood on a stage and just took questions from voters? Has he done that at any point during this campaign?” DeSantis said. “How often has he been willing to go and really answer the tough questions?”
Recent opinion polls have shown DeSantis far behind Trump in Iowa and trailing both Trump and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
The Republican nominee will face President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in the November 2024 general election.
