DeSantis: Conservative media, indictments helped Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said both conservative media and the indictment of former President Trump were an attempt to prevent the Republican Party from moving away from Trump.

DeSantis made the remarks in an interview published Monday, before dropping out of Sunday's Republican presidential primary.

“Well, I think there are two things,” DeSantis said in response to a question. “Today's New Hampshire and Chris Ryan” Why isn't the Republican Party moving away from Trump?

“So, number one, we saw his support increase when he was indicted, but he seems to get a little bit more support with each subsequent indictment. That's very clear. It's a correlation that can be tracked,” DeSantis said.

“I think the other thing is, you know, he has a favorable media group. All the centre-right media rallied behind him,” he added. .

DeSantis withdrew from the race on Sunday and endorsed the former president. A primary campaign that began with promises for Florida governor but ended in disappointment has come to an end.

In the interview, DeSantis was asked what he and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley could do to “change the trajectory” of Trump's large lead in public opinion polls, in response to a question about how Trump could “change the trajectory” of Trump's “underground movement.” ''.

“So I think the reality is this is a guy who doesn't want to debate. He's not actively answering questions from voters. He's basically running a basement campaign. And so far, he's gotten away with it because I don't think he's been beaten up by the media,” DeSantis said.

He also defended his decision to run for the nomination in 2024 rather than wait for the 2028 presidential election.

“I have to run,” he said. “That means this country is at a crossroads. I don't think it's likely that Trump will win. There's no chance that he will bring about the changes that this country needs to move forward in a better direction, especially as a lame duck.” I think it's low. He's going to be a lame duck president from day one.”

Despite attacking Trump in a recent interview, DeSantis expressed support for the former president in a video message announcing he was suspending his campaign on Sunday.

“I signed a pledge to support the Republican candidate and I intend to honor that pledge. “It's a repackaging of the warmed-up corporatism that Nikki Haley represents,” DeSantis said.