DeSantis' muddled messaging on Ukraine and the multiple legal investigations into Trump mean that this year’s primary race “is a vast sea of uncertainty,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist and former DeSantis pollster.
Metals magnate and donor Andy Sabin backed Trump in 2016 and 2020 but is now planning to spend money in the Republican primary on “anybody but Trump."
Enthusiastic crowds of Trump supporters were mostly quiet when he mocked DeSantis at two recent rallies.
For now, despite the volatility, Trump and DeSantis remain the two leading contenders, said David Tamasi, a Republican donor and lobbyist.
"You have two candidates getting 75-80% of the vote," said Tamasi, who previously backed Trump but is not this time.