DeSantis snaps back at McCarthy saying he’s ‘not at the same level’ as Trump

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis snapped back at U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after the speaker said the governor and former President Donald Trump are “not at the same level” in the 2024 presidential campaign.

“He’s not at the same level as President Trump by any shape or form,” McCarthy told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. “He would not have gotten elected [governor] without President Trump’s endorsement.”

In response at a Monday Jacksonville press conference, DeSantis agreed the two are different, dissing “D.C. Republicans'” spending habits.

“Donald Trump – he supported Kevin McCarthy very strongly for speaker,” DeSantis said. “Donald Trump was instrumental in him earning that speaker’s gavel.”

“They worked hand-in-glove, really, throughout his whole presidency. They were on the same team on every major spending bill that came down the pike,” the governor continued. “They ended up together adding $7.8 trillion to our national debt, never in a four year period has that much been added than what they did together.”

Explaining how he and the former president are “different,” DeSantis agreed: “In Florida, we run budget surpluses, we’ve paid down almost 25% of our state’s debt, just since I’ve been governor.”

“It’s a much different approach to where – we’re doing it right,” DeSantis said. “We have the number one rated economy in the country, we’ve cut taxes, we’ve expanded school choice, and we’ve delivered in a way that is made the state sustainable.”

“I am not somebody who the D.C. establishment wants to see up there.”

At Monday’s press conference, DeSantis awarded first responder bonuses totaling $1,000 each.