Though steadfast allies throughout much of the pandemic, Trump and DeSantis, as presidential primary rivals, agree on very little about what transpired during one of the most trying periods in their respective tenures in leadership.
Unsaid in the ad was that DeSantis had repeatedly praised Fauci early in the pandemic, calling him “really, really good and really, really helpful” and “really doing a good job.” A CNN KFile review found Trump began harshly criticizing Fauci much earlier than DeSantis.
Trump has dismissed the conservative back-slapping of DeSantis’ handling of the pandemic, insisting the governor’s performance wasn’t all that great.
By preemptively attacking DeSantis’ pandemic policies, Trump, too, appears aware that voters could see his top rival as stronger on the issue.
The shift became an early fault line in the fracturing relationship between Trump and DeSantis.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis –, Trump, Anthony Fauci, DeSantis “, Fauci, ”, DeSantis, Ron, “, Andrew, Cuomo, ” Trump, ” DeSantis, shutdowns, it’s, Steve Sisolak’s, Steve Sisolak, “ You’re, OAN, they’re
Organizations:
CNN, Florida Gov, GOP, New, Concord, Twitter, Trump’s, National Institute of Allergy, Trump, Florida, DeSantis, Republicans, New York Democratic, Republican, Gallup, Las Vegas, Democratic, Fox News, Food and Drug Administration, “ Fox, Friends
Locations:
New Hampshire, Hollis, lockstep, Florida, Nevada