[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Former President Donald Trump, who has announced he will run again for the presidency on the 15th, warned his Republican rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, not to run for president and said he would reveal damaging information about him if he does.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 8th (local time), Trump told reporters after voting in the midterm elections, "If (DeSantis) runs for president in 2024, he could get hurt very badly." He added, "I won't flatter him. I probably know more about him than anyone, maybe even his wife."
One day before the midterm elections, after delivering a support speech in Ohio, Trump also warned in interviews with media outlets such as Fox News that if he faces DeSantis in the Republican primary, he would willingly disclose information that could damage him.
DeSantis, a staunch conservative governor, is considered a leading contender within the Republican Party. Foreign media reported that Trump's remarks show he also recognizes Governor DeSantis as a major competitor for the presidency.
WSJ described Trump as still a giant in the Republican Party, but DeSantis as the choice of major Republican political donors. Ken Griffin, CEO of hedge fund Citadel, who has donated the most political funds to the Republican Party, expressed support for Governor DeSantis on the 6th and donated $5 million (about 700 million KRW).
Griffin said, "It's time for the Republican Party to move on from former President Donald Trump and find a new leader," adding, "If DeSantis runs for president, I will actively support him." Politico explained that the $5 million is the largest single donation DeSantis has received.
Close aides to Governor DeSantis said he is seriously considering running for president. WSJ noted that as governor, DeSantis received cheers from Republican supporters for conservative policies such as opposing vaccine and mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple polls predict that if he runs in the next presidential election, he will be Trump’s strongest challenger in the Republican primary.
Earlier, Trump has continued overt attacks, including disparaging remarks about DeSantis during midterm election campaign rallies in Pennsylvania last weekend.
Reading the poll numbers for the next Republican presidential candidate, he claimed he leads overwhelmingly with 71% support compared to DeSantis’s 10%. He mocked Governor DeSantis by twisting his name to "Ron DeSanctimonious," calling him a "pretentious hypocrite."
Since losing to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Trump has consistently indicated his intention to run again in 2024 and is accelerating his presidential campaign amid the midterm elections. With expectations that the Republican Party will gain majority status in both the House and Senate, foreign media predict that the midterm election results will directly impact Trump’s bid for re-election.
On the 7th, one day before the midterm elections, at his final rally in Ohio, Trump announced, "I will make a major announcement on the 15th at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida," signaling his presidential candidacy declaration.
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