DeSantis Speaks Out on 'Underwhelming' Midterms, Leaves Trump's Name Out

Florida governor was no doubt referring to him, however
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 16, 2022 12:22 AM CST
DeSantis Speaks Out on 'Underwhelming' Midterms, Leaves Trump's Name Out
Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis takes to the stage to debate his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist in Fort Pierce, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2022.   (Crystal Vander Weit/TCPalm.com via AP, Pool, File)

He didn't actually mention Donald Trump by name, but Ron DeSantis offered what the New York Times calls a "not-so-subtle dig" at the former POTUS shortly before Trump's announcement that he will run for president again in 2024. Referring to the midterm elections, the Florida governor told reporters Tuesday night, "There were a lot, a lot of disappointments. That’s just the reality. It was a hugely underwhelming, disappointing performance, especially given that Biden’s policies are overwhelmingly unpopular." DeSantis noted his own massive reelection win and GOP successes in his state, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas, before a veiled reference to the Trump-endorsed candidates who lost, calling them simply "some of the others." It's the first time DeSantis has publicly addressed the midterm results, CNN reports.

He continued, "These independent voters aren’t voting for our candidates, even with Biden in the White House and the failures that we’re seeing. That’s a problem." When pushed for his comments on Trump's plan to run again, DeSantis said, "At the end of the day, I would just tell people to go check out the scoreboard from last Tuesday night." He added, in reference to his party's successes as a whole in Florida, that people likely crossed the political aisle to vote for GOP candidates: "You don’t win by a million and a half votes if you only get your own party." He noted, "We won Palm Beach County, which has not been won by a Republican for governor by almost 40 years," without specifically pointing out that Trump lives in that county. He also seemed to reference—and dismiss—Trump's criticism of him, waving off the "noise" and "incoming fire" that gets "overdone" in the media. (More Ron DeSantis stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X