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☆ GOP critics pile on DeSantis over Disney feud: 'I don't think Ron DeSantis is a conservative'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis' ongoing feud against Disney has drawn criticism for months. "I don't think Ron DeSantis is a conservative based on his actions towards Disney," Chris Christie said. DeSantis' political rival, former President Donald Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social that DeSantis is being "absolutely destroyed by Disney." "I just don't think — it's not good for Governor DeSantis. I don't think it's good for the Republican party."

☆ Trump racks up Florida endorsements in blow to DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speak at midterm election rallies, in Dayton, Ohio, U.S. November 7, 2022 and Tampa, Florida, U.S., November 8, 2022 in a combination of file photos. REUTERS/Gaelen Morse, Marco BelloApril 19 (Reuters) - Donald Trump continued to rack up endorsements in Florida for his presidential campaign on Wednesday, outmaneuvering the state's Governor Ron DeSantis on his home turf. "If we want to get our economy back on track, Donald Trump is just the guy to get it done," Buchanan said. "They have the DeSantis campaign in a vulnerable position." Only one, Laurel Lee, stuck with DeSantis, announcing her endorsement on Tuesday.

☆ Chris Christie joins Trump in bashing DeSantis over Disney clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Dan Whitcomb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speaks at the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File PhotoApril 18 (Reuters) - Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joined former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday in criticizing a fellow Republican, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, over his feud with the Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N). "I don’t think Ron DeSantis is a conservative based on his actions towards Disney,” added Christie, who is also said to be considering a run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump, who could be DeSantis' top rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, has called the Florida governor's war with Disney a "political stunt" and suggested it could backfire on the party. DeSantis and the Florida legislature have been working to eliminate the virtual autonomy the company has enjoyed over the Disney World resort and amusement parks for more than 50 years, saying that constitutes an "unfair advantage."

DeSantis told an Orlando radio station on Monday that the bill would "formally nullify" a development agreement Disney struck with outgoing members of the oversight board that ties the hands of DeSantis' appointees. "To do an end-run around the people of Florida shows how arrogant they are," DeSantis told the host of WFLA's "Good Morning Orlando." He and the Florida legislature have been working to eliminate the virtual autonomy the company enjoyed over Walt Disney World for more than century. Before the takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit the board's action for decades. It also ensures that future boards would honor a commitment to $527 million in planned capital improvements to support Walt Disney World’s growth over the next decade.

☆ Fact Check-Video of Hillary Clinton endorsing Ron DeSantis is AI-generated
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An AI-generated clip that shows former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the presidency has been shared on social media as if it is authentic. There is no evidence Clinton ever made such an endorsement. Clinton can partly be heard saying the following in the clip (here), “You know, people might be surprised to hear me saying this, but I actually like Ron DeSantis a lot. There is no evidence Clinton ever made these remarks, however. The video is AI-generated, and there is no evidence Clinton endorsed Ron DeSantis for the presidency.

April 17 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday fired another shot in his battle with Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), saying the state's Republican legislature would take steps to nullify the company's effort to circumvent state oversight of Walt Disney World. DeSantis said the new bill, announced on Monday, would return control of the special district that is home to Disney World to a state oversight board run by the governor's appointees. [1/2] People gather ahead of the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. Before the takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney pushed through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit the board's action for decades. It also ensures that future boards would honor a commitment to $527 million in planned capital improvements to support Walt Disney World’s growth over the next decade.

☆ DeSantis backers launch first TV ad attacking Trump in 2024 White House race
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Trump should fight Democrats, not lie about Governor DeSantis," the ad stated. Never Back Down, the Super PAC backing DeSantis, released the ad titled "Fight Democrats, not Republicans" online and on "Fox News Sunday." Make American Great Again, the major Super PAC aligned with Trump, has already attacked DeSantis in ads. "Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off our money." A Reuters/Ipsos poll in early April showed 48% of Republicans saying they want Trump to be their party's presidential nominee in 2024, with 19% supporting DeSantis.

☆ Trump campaign reports raising $14.5 million in early 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he attends his first campaign rally after announcing his candidacy for president in the 2024 election at an event in Waco, Texas, U.S., March 25, 2023. REUTERS/Go NakamuraWASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's presidential campaign on Saturday reported raising $14.5 million during the first three months of this year, with contributions accelerating sharply after he announced he was about to be criminally indicted. During the prior two weeks, the disclosure shows the campaign bringing in just over $1 million from individual donors. The campaign reported spending $3.5 million through March, with close to half going to his campaign payroll and travel expenses. At least $7,000 was spent at golf clubs and resorts that are owned by Trump in south Florida.

☆ Republican Mike Pompeo says he will not seek U.S. presidential nomination
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Tyler Clifford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 14 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday he will not enter the 2024 presidential race, which would have pitted him against his former boss Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. Pompeo, 59, said he decided with his wife that he would not be a candidate for the office due to personal reasons. Pompeo also initially backed Trump's false claims of a stolen presidential election following his 2020 defeat to Democrat Joe Biden, though Pompeo eventually cooperated with the incoming administration. With Pompeo out, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is the lone Trump administration official to announce she will challenge the former president. Among other possible Republican primary candidates are Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence.

☆ In signing 6-week ban, DeSantis wades into thorny debate over abortion and 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

April 14 (Reuters) - When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban on April 14, 2022, he held a morning ceremony at a church in front of an enormous "Protect Life" sign, flanked by women and children. On Thursday, exactly one year later, DeSantis – now a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate – signed a six-week ban with decidedly less fanfare. Republican presidential hopefuls, including former President Donald Trump, have largely sidestepped the issue. REPUBLICANS TREAD CAREFULLYOther Republican presidential contenders have also treaded carefully. In a social media post after November's midterm elections, he blamed the "abortion issue" for the party's underperformance.

If Scott runs, his campaign will be an experiment that optimism still sells among Republican voters, they said. The question is which side - or bubble - within the Republican Party is holding the most votes." Maidment jokingly knocked the senator for ordering grits, a dish more common in Scott's South Carolina than in northern New England. "The people that are most stressed out about it are the donors," said Chip Felkel, a South Carolina Republican operative. Chris Ager, the chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party and an attendee at the Scott event, said the state's Republicans "welcome him to the debate."

☆ Trump, other 2024 hopefuls seek NRA's blessing amid spate of shootings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Alexandra Ulmer | Thomson Reuters | U.S. National Affairs Correspondent Who Spent Four Years In Venezuela Covering President Maduro'S Administration | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A number of hopefuls, including Trump's closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, are deliberating if and when to jump into the 2024 race to challenge the former president for the nomination. Trump, whom the NRA enthusiastically backed in 2016 before he was even officially declared the Republican presidential candidate, will address gun aficionados in person on Friday. DeSantis, and other White House hopefuls, Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott, will do so by video message. Trump's campaign website says he will "always defend your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," but does not provide detailed policy proposals. For some fervent NRA members, however, neither Trump nor DeSantis are committed enough to the cause.

☆ Florida to allow death penalty with 8-4 jury vote instead of unanimously
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

If the Republican governor signs the bill into law, Florida prosecutors trying capital felony cases would need to convince only two-thirds of the 12-member jury that someone who is convicted deserves the death penalty, rather than a unanimous decision by a jury. It would have no effect on the requirement for a jury's unanimous vote to convict a defendant. Three jurors voted to spare Cruz, and by default his sentence was life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. If the bill becomes law, Florida would join Alabama as the only states where a unanimous jury decision is not required, the center noted. In 2017, Florida passed a law that required death penalties to be imposed only after a unanimous recommendation by a jury.

Senator Tim Scott launched a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday, taking a key step toward running for president in 2024 and challenging former President Donald Trump for the party's nomination. Scott, 57, on Wednesday will visit Iowa, the lead-off state in the Republican presidential nominating process, before heading to New Hampshire on Thursday and his home state of South Carolina on Friday. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and activist investor Vivek Ramaswamy have formally launched campaigns seeking the Republican 2024 nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are also expected to run, though neither have announced their candidacy. Reporting by Gram Slattery; Kanishka Singh and Susan heavey; Editing by Scott Malone, Gerry Doyle and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Senator Tim Scott plans to launch a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, a key step toward running for president in 2024. On Wednesday, Scott will be in Iowa, the lead-off state in the Republican presidential nominating process. Scott often called out Trump during his presidency over racially charged comments and blocked several of his judicial nominees for such reasons. Scott garners no more than 2% support in almost all polls, though supporters argue that will change as he becomes a better-known national figure. Reporting by Gram Slattery and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Scott Malone and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Senator Tim Scott plans to launch a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday, a key step toward running for president in 2024, The Post and Courier newspaper in South Carolina reported late on Tuesday, citing sources. On Wednesday, Scott will be in Iowa, the lead-off state in the Republican presidential nominating process. He will then travel to New Hampshire on Thursday before coming back to his home state of South Carolina on Friday ahead of a local summit in Charleston, the newspaper said. Scott often called out Trump during his presidency over racially charged comments and blocked several of his judicial nominees for such reasons. Republicans who have formally launched campaigns for the party's 2024 nomination include former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, activist investor Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

☆ Republicans set first 2024 U.S. primary debate for August in Milwaukee
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - The Republican Party plans to hold its first 2024 U.S. presidential primary debate in August in Milwaukee, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Wednesday. The debate will be broadcast on Fox News, she said in an interview with the cable television channel. The RNC will also "get away from Big Tech" by arranging to livestream the debate on Rumble, an online video platform, McDaniel said. They will also partner with the Young America's Foundation, led by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, to help spread their message to younger voters, she said. Senator Tim Scott, who launched a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday; and former Vice President Mike Pence.

☆ Two of Ken Griffin's biggest donations sit on opposite sides of the spectrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Griffin, who founded Wall Street giants Citadel and Citadel Securities, donated $300 million to Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). However, it's interesting to see how two of his biggest contributions — DeSantis and Harvard — seem to operate on opposite ends of the spectrum. Click her to read our profile on Ken Griffin's rise to the top of Wall Street. Wall Street is drying out wells to drive up returns in California. Click here for more on the water woes created by Wall Street.

April 11 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's newly formed oversight board is seeking to assert control over development in two cities where Walt Disney World Resort is located, the latest twist in a battle for authority over the company's Florida theme parks. A resolution, seen on Tuesday by Reuters, would give the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board the power to review and evaluate development in the 25,000-square acres of property in and around Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) theme parks. The district would hold "superior authority and control" over planning, zoning and other land use in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, under a Florida law that formed the state-appointed oversight board. A spokesperson for Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake did not respond to Reuters' request for comment. A spokesperson for the oversight board referred inquiries to an attorney, who was not immediately available for comment.

☆ Trump's camp is trying to force Ron DeSantis to resign and formally declare a 2024 run, accusing the governor of 'taxpayer-funded globetrotting'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis of running an unofficial 2024 campaign. In an email, the Trump campaign said DeSantis is engaging in "taxpayer-funded globetrotting." Ron DeSantis, accusing him of "taxpayer-funded globetrotting." An email from the Trump campaign on Monday accused DeSantis of not formally declaring a 2024 run, and using his salary as governor to fund unofficial campaign travels. The Trump campaign also said DeSantis is trying to go on international trips to "score some last-minute foreign policy credentials for his 2024 presidential campaign," further accusing the governor of "taxpayer-funded globetrotting."

☆ Ron DeSantis takes aim at Disney, vows to void Florida theme park development agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 8 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ramped up his fight against Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), seeking to void an agreement that Disney passed to limit the power of a board appointed by DeSantis to oversee its Florida theme park property. On Thursday in remarks made at Hillsdale College in Michigan, DeSantis said the legislature would void changes Disney made shortly before it lost control of the board. And so come hell or high water, we're going to make sure that policy of Florida carries the day," the Florida governor said. Florida lawmakers passed a bill in February giving DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees municipal services and development in a special district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort. "What Disney has tried to do is they have tried to say that they should be able to operate outside the context of our constitutional system in Florida," DeSantis said on Thursday.

☆ DeSantis seeks to void Disney's Florida board agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Walt Disney World photographer holds a Pride rainbow-coloured Mickey Mouse cutout before the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio JonesApril 8 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ramped up his fight against Walt Disney Co (DIS.N), seeking to void an agreement that Disney passed to limit the power of a board appointed by DeSantis to oversee its Florida theme park property. On Thursday in remarks made at Hillsdale College in Michigan, DeSantis said the legislature would void changes Disney made shortly before it lost control of the board. Florida lawmakers passed a bill in February giving DeSantis effective control over a board that oversees municipal services and development in a special district that encompasses Walt Disney World resort. "What Disney has tried to do is they have tried to say that they should be able to operate outside the context of our constitutional system in Florida," DeSantis said on Thursday.

April 7 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has chosen a finance director for his prospective presidential campaign, two sources close to DeSantis said on Thursday. DeSantis' support stood at 21% in the Thursday poll. Others who have joined DeSantis' political operation include Jason Johnson, who served as Cruz's chief strategist in 2016, the sources said. Several high-profile operatives supporting DeSantis are Cruz alums. While the Texas senator ultimately lost to Trump, Cruz won the pivotal state of Iowa and finished second in a crowded field to the former president.

☆ Americans divided over criminal charges against Trump - Reuters/Ipsos poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - The prosecution of former President Donald Trump has evenly divided Americans but appears to have boosted his chances of winning the Republican nomination for the 2024 election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday. read moreThe survey found that 49% of all Americans think it was right for prosecutors to pursue the first criminal case against a U.S. president or former president. That is up from 48% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. However, 76% of Republicans think some in law enforcement are working to delegitimize Trump through politically motivated investigations, compared to 34% of Democrats. Some 51% of all respondents, but only 18% of Republicans, said the charges should disqualify Trump from again running for president.

[1/3] Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley arrives for a campaign event in Dover, New Hampshire, U.S., March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File PhotoWASHINGTON, April 5 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley has raised more than $11 million since declaring her candidacy in February, her campaign said on Wednesday, a significant sum that could help her expand her support in the coming months. It noted that Haley's fundraising figure exceeded the $9.5 million raised by rival Donald Trump in the fourth quarter of 2022, when he declared his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. "That's a very solid number and a testament to what a strong launch she had," Alex Conant, a Republican strategist, said of Haley's fundraising numbers.

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