Trump says DeSantis should ‘get on a plane and go back to Florida today’

Former President Trump told fellow Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday that he should “get on a plane and go back to Florida.” Each is planning events in Iowa this weekend to campaign ahead of the Hawkeye State caucuses.

“Ron DeSanctimonius has one small flaw with the Democratic Party — he has no personality whatsoever. If I hadn't supported him, he would have finished with 3% during the primary. ” said Trump. Posted on his Truth Social site. “There's no such thing as loyalty! Bobblehead is currently in 3rd place and Jeff Roe quit with all his money so he should get on a plane and go back to Florida today.”

President Trump's comments came the morning after DeSantis attended a town hall event hosted by CNN in Des Moines. DeSantis nudged Trump multiple times during the event.

Roe, whom Trump mentioned in his post, was a top strategist for a super PAC associated with DeSantis, but he resigned from his post last month following a report detailing the PAC's inner workings.

Mr. DeSantis and his opponent, Nikki Haley, each attended an Iowa town hall event on Thursday, an opportunity to appeal to voters in the Hawkeye State just days before the Jan. 15 caucuses.

Fox News plans to host another town hall event for Haley and DeSantis on Monday and Tuesday in Des Moines.

Later this month, CNN will host two Republican presidential primary debates, the first in Des Moines on January 10th and the second in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on January 21st.

DeSantis, Haley and Trump each qualified for the first CNN debate, but the former president instead chose to simultaneously participate in his own town hall event on Fox News.

The event will give candidates one last chance to sway voters in a state where early voting is critical. Trump led with 51.6% of the vote, followed by DeSantis in second place with 18% and Haley close behind with 17.1%, The Hill partner Decision Desk Headquarters reported.