Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing criticism for his hesitancy to support former President Donald Trump in the GOP race, especially if Trump were to be convicted of a crime. During a recent event, all Republican candidates were asked whether they would still support Trump as the party’s nominee if he were convicted in a court of law. While several candidates quickly raised their hands, DeSantis hesitated before eventually doing the same. Critics argue that this moment could be devastating for his campaign.
The question was posed by moderator Bret Baier, who reminded the candidates that they had all signed a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum promptly showed their support for Trump by raising their hands. However, DeSantis took a moment to look around before reluctantly raising his hand. This moment did not go unnoticed and has been deemed significant by critics.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also hesitated before raising his hand, while former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie initially raised a finger but later clarified that he wouldn’t back a convicted Trump. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, on the other hand, refrained from raising his hand.
Trump’s campaign was quick to seize on this moment, describing it as pathetic. Many conservatives believe that this moment could be a defining point in DeSantis’ campaign.
It remains to be seen how this incident will affect DeSantis’ chances in the race for the GOP nomination. Supporters of DeSantis argue that his hesitation simply shows that he is taking the matter seriously and waiting for due process to play out. Others, however, view this as a lack of loyalty to the former president.
As the 2024 presidential election draws nearer, it is likely that more questions about Trump’s potential legal troubles will arise. The candidates’ responses to these questions will undoubtedly shape their campaigns and influence voters. With the Republican Party still largely aligned with Trump, it will be interesting to see how DeSantis navigates this delicate situation and whether he can overcome the backlash he is now facing.
