Former President Donald Trump—thanks to the undying support of his followers—is considered the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, despite losing the election in 2020.
But Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, isn't far behind. One could argue DeSantis' political rise is largely of Trump's own making. He was a little-known Florida congressman before Trump endorsed him for governor of the state in 2018.
DeSantis won and has since become one of the most infamous governors in the nation, beloved by conservatives and scorned by liberals for his flouting of safety guidelines amid the pandemic that's killed over 600 thousand Americans.
Now—along with Trump—he's one of the favorites to secure the 2024 nomination, and a new ad is looking to further put the two men at odds in an effort to sabotage DeSantis' 2022 reelection effort.
Watch below.
Remove Ron: Loserwww.youtube.com
The ad, launched Thursday by the Remove Ron PAC, clearly targets Trump's ego, warning him he'll be overshadowed by DeSantis if the governor wins a second term in 2022.
The narrator says:
"He was a nobody, Donald. A rookie congressman. Then, you made him governor of America's third largest state. Now, Ron's beating you in the race for President."
The ad continues:
"Ron must think you're past your prime, or that you're a loser, Donald. Think about it. They're selling 'Ron for President' tee shirts on Amazon, and you're not even allowed on Twitter, Donald. If he wins in '22, you're finished. Ron won't need you. Neither will Florida. The clock is ticking, Donald. What are you gonna do about it?"
The ad is set to air on Fox News in Sarasota, Florida this weekend—just around the time Trump will be in town for one of his infamous rallies.
But people were confused by the video's intention, believing it backfired by painting DeSantis in a positive light.
This all well and fine, and I get the purpose of this video, but I'm not certain Desantis should be shown in a positive light in any manner whatsoever. A Desantis Administration, should this backfire, would be horrific and much worse than Trump.— Bitter Old Man (@Bitter Old Man) 1625153350
If i didn\u2019t see \u201cRemove Ron at the end of this video, or in the tweet accompanying it, i would think it was a pro DeSantis adhttps://twitter.com/removeron/status/1410578468396486657\u00a0\u2026— Steven Westervelt (@Steven Westervelt) 1625198507
Do they think this ad makes @GovRonDeSantis look bad? If anything, it just makes DeSantis look like the G.O.A.T.https://twitter.com/removeron/status/1410578468396486657\u00a0\u2026— \u2694\ufe0f Badass Bushido \u2694\ufe0f (@\u2694\ufe0f Badass Bushido \u2694\ufe0f) 1625192089
Propping up DeSantis as the 2024 nominee to own the conshttps://twitter.com/RemoveRon/status/1410578468396486657\u00a0\u2026— Your Friendly Neighborhood Hayekist (@Your Friendly Neighborhood Hayekist) 1625175580
This ad essentially admits that not only will DeSantis win re-election as Governor, he will be the Republican nominee in 2024.\n\nPropping up DeSantis.......to own DeSantis?https://twitter.com/removeron/status/1410578468396486657\u00a0\u2026— White Bob Summer (@White Bob Summer) 1625175348
But even without Remove Ron's ad, the seeds of division between the two men are being planted for harvest in the 2024 Republican primary.
It's good that Biden and DeSantis are working together but you know in 2024, Republican candidates for president (including potentially Trump) will use this image against DeSantis much like Chris Christie hugging Obama during Hurricane Sandy.https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1410616249218785287\u00a0\u2026— Eric Michael Garcia (@Eric Michael Garcia) 1625183279
Trump can\u2019t hold @GovRonDeSantis jockstrap. Trump might be our 2024 nominee but he shouldn\u2019t.— Conservative Soapbox (@Conservative Soapbox) 1624880559
I am here for DeSantis\u2019 tears when Trump picks Tucker over him for his VP running mate in 2024.— Patrick Chovanec (@Patrick Chovanec) 1625193796
Betting markets see DeSantis as 2024 Republican presidential nominee, while Trump's company faces charges https://www.marketwatch.com/story/betting-markets-see-desantis-as-2024-republican-presidential-nominee-while-trumps-company-faces-charges-11625158303?reflink=mw_share_twitter\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/VOMRxPsEHI— Victor Reklaitis (@Victor Reklaitis) 1625160909
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok
@vanessa_p_44/TikTok
@GovPressOffice/X
@GovPressOffice/X
@GovPressOffice/X
@GovPressOffice/X
mass.gov
cdss.ca.gov