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☆ An Iowa Republican state lawmaker switched his support from Trump to DeSantis after the ex-president blasted Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds over her neutrality in the 2024 GOP primary
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Iowa state Sen. Jeff Reichman on Thursday flipped his 2024 support from Trump to DeSantis. Both Trump and DeSantis are making a major play for Iowa, the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state. Ron DeSantis of Florida days after the ex-president blasted the state's governor, Kim Reynolds, over her neutrality in the GOP primary. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Reichman, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, over his shift in support. "There is no room for weak-kneed and lily-livered people on Team Trump.

Persons: Sen, Jeff Reichman, Reichman, Trump, needled Reynolds, Donald Trump's, Ron DeSantis, Kim Reynolds, State Sen, Reynolds, Joe, DeSantis, Steven Cheung, Ron DeSanctimonious, Andrew Romeo, Romero Organizations: Trump, Iowa, GOP, Service, Iowa Republican, Gov, State, Republican, Iowa Republicans, New York Times, Republicans, Times, Marine Corps, Team Trump Locations: Iowa, DeSantis, Wall, Silicon, Florida, Reynolds . Iowa, Iraq

☆ Fact Check-No evidence of Donald Trump Truth Social calling Ron DeSantis a virgin
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

There is no evidence that Republican Donald Trump called Florida governor Ron DeSantis a virgin in a post published via Truth Social, despite a screenshot that began circulating online on July 11, 2023. The screenshot appears to show a post published via Trump’s official Truth Social account with text that reads: “‘Virgin’ Ron DeSanctimonious is at it again!” The image is not dated or timestamped. Reuters did not find any evidence that such a post was published as of July 12, 2023. No such post is viewable when examining the former president’s Truth Social account (here) and there are no credible media articles reporting that such a post was published (archive.is/gUBhK). Trump did indeed refer to the Florida governor as “Ron DeSanctimonious” in a Truth Social posted on July 11, a nickname that he has repeatedly used when referring to his challenger for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination (here).

Persons: Republican Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Ron DeSanctimonious, “, Liz, Trump, Ron DeSanctimonious ”, Harrington, Read Organizations: Republican, Florida, Trump, Reuters Locations: Florida

☆ The Murdochs are starting to lose faith in Ron DeSantis' chances of crushing Trump: 'They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Murdochs are starting to lose faith in DeSantis' chances of beating Trump, per Rolling Stone. "They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away," a source from Fox told Rolling Stone. Ron DeSantis' chances of beating former President Donald Trump, Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the situation. A source from Fox told Rolling Stone that both the Murdochs and Fox News' top executives don't think DeSantis' prospects of clinching the Republican nomination are great. A senior Fox source told Rolling Stone that Rupert Murdoch's "understandable worry is that we may end up stuck with Trump anyway."

Persons: DeSantis, Rolling, Rupert Murdoch, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, Rolling Stone, Stone, Rupert Murdoch's, he's, Doug Heye, Ron DeSanctimonious Organizations: Trump, Fox, Service, Florida Gov, Rolling, Fox News, Republican National Committee, Stone, Twitter, Gov, Republican Locations: Wall, Silicon, Florida

☆ Ron DeSantis says he won't deign to be Trump's running mate because the 'No. 2 guy' doesn't 'really have any authority'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that he won't consider being Donald Trump's VP pick for 2024. Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that he doesn't plan to run as former President Donald Trump's vice president in 2024, even if he's offered the spot. "I'm not a number two guy," DeSantis told the conservative podcast "Wisconsin Right Now." He's called DeSantis insulting nicknames like "Ron DeSanctimonious" and "Ron DeSaster." "Ron DeSantis isn't anybody's guy.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump's, doesn't, he's, DeSantis, I've, Jim Piwowarczyk, Robert F Kennedy, he'd, Kennedy, Trump, He's, Ron DeSanctimonious, Ron DeSaster, Ron, Steven Cheung, Cheung Organizations: Service, Gov, Democratic, GOP, Republican, CNBC, DeSantis Locations: Wisconsin, Wall, Silicon, Florida

☆ DeSantis rakes in $20 million in presidential campaign's first six weeks, rivaling Trump's haul
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis said Thursday it raised $20 million in the six weeks since the Republican launched his bid for the White House. Separately, a major pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, amassed $130 million since the group launched in March, a source familiar told CNBC. Absent the joint fundraising committee, Trump's campaign raised about $14.5 million in the first quarter of 2023 and $3.8 million in the last month-and-a-half of 2022 for a total of $18.3 million. Asked for comment, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung directed CNBC to his tweet disputing the DeSantis campaign's fundraising math. Trump raised $28.3M in his first two quarters as an announced candidate, and $35M in this most-recent quarter."

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, DeSantis, Generra Peck, Joe, Trump, Steven Cheung, Cheung, Pres Organizations: Salem Elks, Florida Gov, Republican, White, DeSantis, CNBC, Trump, GOP Locations: Florida, Derry, Salem, Salem , New Hampshire, Manhattan

☆ Ron DeSantis is quiet about his Catholic faith, but it could be his secret weapon to court voters away from Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Tiffany Stanley | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Ron DeSantis rarely mentions the specifics of his religion, faith, or practice of it. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks during the Project Opioid conference at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando on Aug. 20, 2019. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey stand during the Pledge of Allegiance at a campaign event, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey, bow their heads during a prayer at a campaign event, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Clive, Iowa.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, wouldn't, —, Joe Burbank, Brian Burch, Burch, DeSantis, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, He's, Nate Hochman, Hochman, Maria Sullivan, Casey, Charlie Neibergall, Sullivan, Piers Morgan, there's, that's, Phelan M, Paul Harvey, Cary McMullen, John F, Kennedy, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Wenski, heartburn, US Sen, Joni Ernst, David Polyansky, Ted Cruz, Bob Vander Plaats, Vander Plaats, John Stemberger, Stemberger, we've, Trump, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Pat Robertson, Michael Binder, Tom O'Shields Organizations: Catholic, Service, Florida Gov, First Presbyterian Church, Orlando Sentinel, DeSantis, GOP, New York, Our Lady Star, Republican, Gov, AP, Lourdes Catholic School, The, Catholic Church, El Paso Bishop, Miami Archbishop, Florida Conference of Catholic, US, Policy Council, Trump, University of North, Lilly Endowment Inc Locations: Florida, GREENVILLE, S.C, Iowa, South Carolina, Orlando, Tallahassee, DeSantis, Catholic Church, Northeast Florida, Cedar Rapids , Iowa, Dunedin , Florida, Ohio, Galilee, Israel, Tampa , Fla, Lakeland , Florida, California, Texas, Des Moines , Iowa, Clive , Iowa, University of North Florida, Greenville, Easley , South Carolina

The video does not disclose any potential AI use and the DeSantis campaign did not respond to a question about whether the images were fake or whether AI was used to create them. A person with knowledge of the DeSantis campaign operation said the Trump side had been "continuously posting fake images and false talking points to smear the governor." The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Drexel professor Stamm's forensics analysis tool suggests the images were made using an AI model called a diffusion model, which underpin popular AI image generation products like DALL-E and Stability AI. "At some point the AI systems will be outputting images that have no differences from real images," said James O'Brien, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Persons: Donald Trump, Russell Cheyne, Anthony Fauci, Trump, Fauci, Ron DeSantis, Matthew Stamm, Hany Farid, DeSantis, Drexel, Biden, James O'Brien, Alexandra Ulmer, Anna Tong, Seana Davis, Rosalba O'Brien, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S, Republican, Aberdeen International Airport, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Republican White, Twitter, Trump, Drexel University, University of California, Republican National Committee, RNC, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain, Florida, Berkeley, U.S, China, Taiwan, San Francisco

☆ Ron DeSantis weirdly refused to say how to pronounce his name, after being called out for flip-flopping between different ways
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Trump campaign is accusing DeSantis of flip-flopping over his name. "I don't think that's what voters want," said DeSantis. "And honestly I think that his conduct, which he's been doing for years now, I think that's one of the reasons he's not in the White House now." When asked by Axios about the correct pronunciation, DeSantis' 2024 campaign refused to answer the question, and the pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, also declined to say. As things stand, Trump leads in polls of Republican primary voters, while DeSantis is second, according to an aggregate of polls by FiveThirtyEight.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Trump, DeSantis, —, Donald Trump, Dee, Rob, DeSanctimonious, he's, Axios, FiveThirtyEight Organizations: GOP, Service, Republican, Social, Trump, DeSantis Locations: Florida, New Hampshire

☆ Trump angrily disowned his loyalist former press secretary as a ‘RINO’ for citing poll numbers that didn’t show him beating DeSantis by enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Donald Trump accused Kayleigh McEnany of citing the "wrong" poll numbers on Fox News. McEnany was an ardent Trump loyalist, and served as White House press secretary for much of 2020. In a post on Truth Social page, Trump accused McEnany of citing the "wrong" poll numbers on Fox News and suggested that she was a "RINO," or "Republican in name only." "Kayleigh 'Milktoast' McEnany just gave out the wrong poll numbers on FoxNews," Trump wrote. An Emerson College poll released last Thursday said Trump had a 42 point lead over his rivals in Iowa.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kayleigh, McEnany, —, Kayleigh McEnany, Ron DeSantis, Trump, it's, FoxNews, Casper Milquetoast, Jesse Watters, Trump's pollsters, McLaughlin, DeSantis, Joe Biden Organizations: Fox News, Trump, White, Service, Republican, Associates, Emerson College Locations: Iowa

☆ In Iowa, DeSantis Signals the Start of a Slugfest With Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Shane Goldmacher | Nicholas Nehamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For the third time in Mr. DeSantis’s three trips to Iowa this year, Mr. Trump planned to follow close behind with a two-day swing of his own. In March, when Mr. DeSantis came for his book tour, Mr. Trump arrived days later in the same city and drew a bigger crowd. It was Mr. DeSantis who one-upped him then, appearing at a barbecue joint nearby. “The weather was so nice that we felt we just had to come,” Mr. DeSantis said to laughs in Clive. Mr. Hamer, who was at the governor’s event in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, said he had voted for Mr. Trump in 2016 and 2020 but was now leaning toward Mr. DeSantis.

Persons: Trump, DeSantis, Mr, Clive, Sean Hannity, “ Ron DeSanctimonious, ”, he’s, ” Tim Hamer, Hamer Organizations: Mr, Republican, Fox News, Social Security Locations: Iowa, Florida, Des Moines, Bluffs

☆ Someone made a hyper-realistic deepfake of Ron DeSantis as Michael Scott from 'The Office' wearing women's clothes. It's the latest instance of AI being weaponized to take DeSantis down.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A deepfake video of Ron DeSantis as Michael Scott in "The Office" has gone viral on Twitter. Ron DeSantis acting as Michael Scott in an episode of "The Office" is going viral on Twitter, and it's just another example of how artificial intelligence can be weaponized against politicians. The deepfake video features DeSantis' face superimposed on that of Steve Carell's iconic character. The deepfake DeSantis replies indignantly: "No. Trump's camp has launched numerous attacks on DeSantis since he announced his bid — this deepfake video is just the latest example of how AI has been used against DeSantis.

☆ Sen. Tim Scott kicks off 2024 presidential bid, entering GOP primary field led by Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Trump has easily led the pack since launching his campaign last year, with Florida Gov. "Tim Scott is the real deal, and he will make a great president of the united states," Thune told the crowd in North Charleston before Scott took the stage. "This can't be another presidential campaign. The long-expected campaign kickoff came three days after Scott filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission designating a principal committee for a presidential bid. "Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable," Trump wrote in a social media post earlier Monday.

☆ Why Disney is stuck in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Disney World sued Ron DeSantis last month to keep control of its self-governing status in Florida. But a top Disney expert said the company is stuck in The Sunshine State. A leading expert on Disney World's history in Florida told Insider that the amusement park is tied to its Florida home, due to its expensive operations and sprawling size. "They're stuck there," Richard Foglesong, the author of the book "Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando," told Insider. Other Republicans are taking DeSantis to task for his dedication to fighting with DisneyRepublican presidential candidate Nikki Haley urged Walt Disney World to consider relocating from Florida to South Carolina.

☆ Disney kills $1 billion development in Florida just days before DeSantis' expected presidential announcement
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney canceled its plans to move jobs from California to Florida. The announcement came just days before DeSantis is expected to formally run for president. "Ron DeSanctimonious gets caught in the mouse trap," the Trump campaign tweeted Thursday. Gavin Newsom of California, who'd urged Disney not to relocate workers from his state to Florida, tweeted. Hundreds of Disney workers who already relocated to Florida will have the option to move back, per the Wall Street Journal.

A main focus of Trump's attacks has been Social Security - the federal pension system - and Medicare. I will always protect Social Security and Medicare for our great seniors." Today, party leaders and many Republican voters oppose reforming Social Security and Medicare because so many Americans rely on the programs. They are reliant on Social Security and Medicare and they worry about this stuff," Feehery said. INSULTS KEEP COMINGThere is so far no clear polling on how Trump's attacks on entitlement spending have impacted DeSantis.

☆ Trump's candidate for Kentucky governor trounced DeSantis' last-minute endorsement, so Trump gloated 'Ron's magic is GONE!'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Katie Balevic | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ron DeSantis' endorsement came in third. Kentucky Attorney General secured a comfortable win in the Republican primary on Tuesday, far outpacing a competitor endorsed by Florida Gov. "Congratulations to a 'star' in Kentucky, Daniel Cameron, who easily won the Republican Nomination for Governor. He had my Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump posted on Truth Social. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks to supporters following his victory in the Republican primary in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

☆ DeSantis digs Trump after the ex-president blamed a tornado threat for canceling a dueling rally in Iowa
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

DeSantis and Trump were both set to appear in Iowa on Saturday. Ron DeSantis of Florida and former president Donald Trump this weekend in Iowa. Trump canceled his event in Des Moines, blaming tornado warnings. After headlining two events in Iowa, DeSantis made an unscheduled stop at Jethro's BBQ Southside, a barbeque joint in Des Moines near where Trump had been scheduled to speak. "It's a beautiful night," DeSantis remarked in Des Moines, according to the New York Times.

☆ Nikki Haley invited Disney World to move to South Carolina and took a shot at DeSantis, but the theme park is stuck in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Disney World sued DeSantis to keep control of its self-governing status in Florida. Nikki Haley said the theme park should move to South Carolina instead. The dig didn't escape Never Back Down, the super PAC that's supporting a DeSantis presidential run. Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in April 2022. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesDisney can't moveDespite Haley's overtures, Disney World is stuck in Florida, Richard Foglesong, the author of the book "Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando," told Insider.

☆ Florida Democrat tried to emulate Disney's power move in a final-ditch effort against Florida's abortion ban, which is now headed to DeSantis for his signature
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But in the face of a Republican supermajority in the Florida House, Democrats' more than 50 amendments failed as Florida representatives sent a six-week ban to GOP Gov. "Let's delay this abortion ban for as long as we can." During the 2022 midterms, congressional Democrats used abortion rights as a rallying cry and managed to hold onto more seats than expected. The implications of the Florida abortion ban on the 2024 race loomed in the background throughout the day. "It amounts to an outright ban," House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa said on the House floor.

☆ Trump faces a potential indictment by the Manhattan DA's office. His GOP opponents are far behind him in the 2024 presidential race, and falling further.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Former President Trump remains at the top of the 2024 GOP pack as he faces several criminal probes. Trump decried a potential indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's office during a rally in Waco, Texas, on March 25, 2023. Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesTrump versus the worldDuring the 2016 GOP presidential primaries, Trump's political brand was built on rejecting the political establishment. Ron DeSantis of Florida is among several high-profile Republicans who may challenge Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. In 2020, Trump faced near-unanimous support for a second term, with the campaigns of former Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, former Gov.

☆ Trump touts Twitter poll from '@catturd2' showing him with a big lead over Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump touted a Twitter poll conducted by "@catturd2" showing him with a strong lead over DeSantis. The poll, conducted by the pro-Trump Twitter user "@catturd2," claims to show Trump with a strong lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of the 2024 race. "You'll see some numbers that are incredible," Trump told the crowd at the rally. —MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) March 27, 2023Shortly after MAGA Inc. reposted the poll, @catturd2 quoted the tweet and wrote, "HAHAHA."

☆ Trump says Ron DeSantis has 'no personality' and would be working at a cigar store if he hadn't endorsed him in 2018
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Donald Trump said Ron DeSantis may have ended up working at a cigar store without his backing in 2018. Ron DeSantis. Probably working either at a cigar store or a law firm," Trump added, per the Daily Mail. During the rally, Trump mocked DeSantis, drawing a muted response from a mostly silent audience. Representatives for DeSantis and Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

☆ Trump campaign says that anyone who works for DeSantis will be blacklisted from ever getting a job with him, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Donald's Trump campaign plans to blacklist anyone who works for Ron DeSantis' book tour or presidential campaign. Ron DeSantis' book tour or for his possible presidential campaign, a report says. "If you work for Ron DeSantis' presidential race, you will not work for the Trump campaign or in the Trump White House." Trump has repeatedly claimed that DeSantis owes Trump his political career, citing an endorsement that helped him become governor in 2018. In recent days both Trump and DeSantis have ruled out the possibility of DeSantis ever being Trump's running mate.

☆ Ron DeSantis says that if he runs for president in 2024, he gives the GOP a shot to beat Joe Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Without announcing a 2024 run, he told Piers Morgan he'd give the GOP an edge over Joe Biden. I think the country wants a change," DeSantis told Morgan. "You can't win with just Republicans," DeSantis told Morgan. Once a supporter of DeSantis, Trump has dragged the governor with insulting nicknames such as "Ron DeSanctimonious." Representatives for DeSantis, Trump, and the White House did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent after business hours.

☆ Trump calls Ron DeSantis 'Rob' in press release
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A new Trump press release called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis "Rob." Ron DeSantis as "Rob" in a Wednesday press release. "ICYMI: 'Steve Bannon calls Rob DeSantis a 'weasel' and Mike Lindell brands him 'disgusting' for his response to Trump's looming indictment..." the press release said. He frequently calls DeSantis "Ron DeSanctimonious," and according to Bloomberg, he's also been workshopping other nicknames including "Tiny D," "Ron DisHonest," and "Ron DeEstablishment."

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