Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) has drawn criticism from a key adviser to former President Donald Trump over his comments about the VP selection process. This comes as DeSantis, who was a GOP presidential candidate, has been included in Trump’s shortlist for the vice presidential position.
What Happened: Trump’s adviser, Chris LaCivita, publicly criticized DeSantis, referring to him as a “sad little man” in a post on X, reported The Hill. LaCivita’s comment responded to DeSantis’ advice to Trump not to engage in “identity politics” when choosing a running mate.
"Chicken fingers and pudding cups is what you will be remembered for you sad little man," LaCivita said.
DeSantis, who had previously endorsed Trump for president, faced criticism from LaCivita for his unsuccessful presidential campaign. The Florida governor’s campaign, seen as a challenge to Trump, did not meet expectations.
See Also: Trump Not Sure If He Can Work With Mitch McConnell: ‘He’ll Probably End Up Endorsing Me’
Trump’s campaign dismissed DeSantis’ comments, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stating that DeSantis had “failed miserably” in his presidential campaign and, therefore, did not have a say in the VP selection process.
Why It Matters: DeSantis’ inclusion in Trump’s VP shortlist is noteworthy, given his previous criticisms of the former president. During an interview in July, DeSantis had stated that he would not accept the offer to become Trump’s running mate if he fails to secure the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential election. However, his recent comments suggest a shift in his stance.
Trump’s VP shortlist was revealed during a Fox News town hall on Tuesday, where he described all the candidates as “good” and “solid” choices. Despite his previous public feuds with DeSantis, Trump has included him on the list.
Trump’s shortlist for VP includes three former GOP candidates: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and DeSantis. He also mentioned Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as potential candidates.
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