Donald Trump says Ron DeSantis is ‘at least’ still ‘MAGA-Lite’

DES MOINES, Iowa – Former President Donald Trump contrasted Gov. Ron DeSantis with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as “MAGA-Lite” in a Truth Social post Monday.

He said that Haley could “never win” in the general election because she “doesn’t have MAGA, and never will.”

“Nikki is a Globalist RINO, backed by American’s for Chinese Growth, the Charles Koch con job. It’s not going to happen for her, or DeSanctimonious!” he said.

“Ron DeSanctimonious, at least, is MAGA-Lite,” he said on Truth Social. “Remember, I think MAGA is almost ALL of the Republican Party. The days of the RINOS and non-AMERICA FIRST candidates are OVER!”

“Vivek [Ramaswamy] Votes are wasted, should come to ‘TRUMP.’ MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Trump also vehemently attacked Ramaswamy for the first time over the weekend, arguing that the businessman is using “deceitful campaign tricks” to disguise his support for the former president.

“Very sly, but a vote for Vivek is a vote for the ‘other side’ – don’t get duped by this,” Trump said.

In another post, Trump reemphasized that a vote for Ramaswamy is a “wasted vote” and that it is important for voters to “build up” Trump’s numbers.

“In November, we must take our very troubled nation – a nation in decline – back from crooked Joe Biden and the radical left Democrats and thugs who are destroying it,” he said.

According to RealClearPolling’s national GOP primary average, Trump holds a significant lead over his opponents with 61% of support. Haley comes in second with 12% of support, DeSantis in third with nearly 11%, and Ramaswamy in fourth with just over 4%.

The Iowa caucus on Monday will be the first state to decide which candidate they want to advance to the nomination, with 40 delegates to award. New Hampshire’s primary is set to take place on Jan. 23, with 22 delegates to offer.