On January 21, ex-President and former presidential contender Donald Trump announced his decision to retire the nickname “Ron DeSanctimonious.” This declaration came after Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida suspended his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump made this announcement during a campaign stop, eliciting cheers from the audience.
The well-known moniker for DeSantis surfaced in 2022 following the midterm elections, where the Republican governor gained recognition as one of the most formidable candidates for the 2024 GOP nomination. During that period, some political analysts went so far as to suggest that DeSantis had a significant opportunity to surpass Trump in the race.
Upon the initiation of the Florida Governor’s presidential campaign, the ex-president consistently employed the nickname as a means of deriding him. Trump continued this practice until the day when the governor officially withdrew from the presidential race and declared his endorsement for Trump.
During that particular instance, DeSantis expressed his readiness to exert maximum effort to secure the nomination. However, he highlighted the ethical dilemma of urging his supporters to volunteer and contribute financially when he and his campaign lacked a clear and viable path to victory.
DeSantis additionally observed that it was evident that the overwhelming majority of Republican voters were inclined to cast their votes in favor of the former president. He expressed respect for their decision. Despite having numerous disagreements with Trump, particularly on matters like the pandemic and the perceived elevation of former Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States, Anthony Fauci, DeSantis asserted that Trump was still preferable to President Joe Biden.
The governor of Florida clarified his commitment to back the eventual Republican nominee, strongly implying that it would be Trump. He further indicated his intention to officially endorse the former president.
According to DeSantis, the GOP should not revert to the former Republican establishment, characterized as politicians who capitulated to “woke ideology” and yielded to corporate influence. DeSantis singled out former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as the candidate representing that old guard.
