Former president Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis are currently the favorites to secure the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential election.
With Ron DeSantis falling in polls, however, Trump is offering his best advice.
What Happened: The latest Morning Consult poll shows that DeSantis has gotten his lowest level of support from Republican voters nationwide since polling began in December 2022.
Trump has seen his lead over DeSantis trend around 30 to 50 points over DeSantis for several months, making the former president confident in securing the Republican party’s nomination.
In an interview with conservative radio host John Fredericks on Friday, Trump shared the advice he would give DeSantis.
“I think he has to get out for the good of the party,” Trump said.
Trump told Fredericks and listeners that he was the reason that DeSantis got elected as governor in Florida.
The former president said that, when he endorsed DeSantis, the govenor saw gains like a rocket ship among voters, after previously losing at a level “you would never even believe that is possible.”
Trump also recalled DeSantis saying he had no comment about running in the presidential election, which meant that the governor would run against Trump.
“He could have waited and would have been odds-on favorite 2028," Trump said.
Trump said he is leading the governor by 50 or 60 points in some cases.
“He’s a lousy campaigner,” he said of DeSantis.
Related Link: Donald Trump Will Still Run For President If Convicted And Right Now That's Perfectly Legal
What’s Next: Trump was also asked by Fredericks if the former president had made a decision about the upcoming Republican debate set for August 23 in Wisconsin.
Trump said it might not make sense for him to attend the debate when he’s leading by 60 points while other contenders are not receiving any support in the polls.
The former president also referenced Fox News, which is airing the debate. Trump referred to Fox as a “hostile network” with “very hostile people.”
“Why would I do that?” Trump rhetorically said when asked about participating in the debate. “I’m thinking about it, I haven’t made a final decision.”
Trump said that, along with DeSantis falling in polls, candidates like Asa Hutchinson and Nikki Haley haven’t done well in the polls either.
“Others haven’t caught on, well-known names haven’t caught on,” he said.
Trump reminded listeners that Ronald Reagan previously skipped a debate and said that he has little to gain from participating if he chooses to do so.
“My lead is bigger than anyone’s lead,” Trump said.
The former president has been criticized by his opponents for his potential decision to skip the debate.
“Nobody is entitled to this nomination,” DeSantis previously told conservative radio host Howie Carr. “I’ll be at all the debates because the American people deserve to hear from us directly about our vision for the country and about how we’re going to be able to beat [President] Joe Biden.”
“You have got to earn the nomination ... Every candidate needs to be put to the test and I think he needs to step up and do it,” DeSantis added.
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