Ron DeSantis Delivers Scathing Critique Of Trump In Fiery Rant: 'Don't Need Any More Presidents That Have Lost The Zip On Their Fastball'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday unleashed sharp criticism against Donald Trump, holding the former president accountable for his own defeat to Joe Biden in 2020.

What Happened: DeSantis, at a campaign event that was meant to promote support from Florida sheriffs, criticised his GOP rival’s perceived shortcomings, CNN reported.

The Florida governor made clear his intentions to reshape the race around Trump’s perceived inadequacies. “We don’t need any more presidents that have lost the zip on their fastball,” DeSantis said.

He added that the party’s nomination shouldn’t be a coronation, particularly for “anybody that couldn’t even stop Joe Biden.”

DeSantis argued that people were “voting against Trump,” refuting ongoing claims about a stolen election from the former president and his supporters.

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"Let's just be honest, he energized Democrats," he said.

"You could have John Kennedy walk through the door right now and he wouldn't energize Democrats as much as Donald Trump does."

Why It Matters: Amid the escalating competition for the Republican nomination, the Florida governor has been intensifying his criticisms of Trump. During last week’s GOP debate, he seized the opportunity to critique the former president for his absence from the event.

Trump remains the most influential figure within his party. Despite his consecutive absences from the debates, the former president maintained a substantial lead over his Republican competitors. According to a RealClearPolitics poll, Trump still leads in the Republican primaries with 57.9% support, while DeSantis trails behind with 12.5% support.

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