Gaetz and Donalds comment on leak of DeSantis debate tapes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., commented following the release of leaked tapes that showed Gov. Ron DeSantis preparing for debates in 2018.

ABC News reported DeSantis was speaking with Gaetz in footage exclusively obtained by the outlet.

The outlet said the footage is from the team’s mock debate sessions when DeSantis was running for governor in 2018.

Gaetz: Is there any issue upon which you disagree with President Trump?

DeSantis: Obviously there is because, I mean, I voted contrary to him in the Congress… I have to frame it in a way that’s not going to piss off all his voters.

DeSantis: And so what I do is I do what I think is right. I support his agenda in terms of what he’s been able to do. If I have a disagreement, I talk to him in private.

Leaked 2018 debate prep footage

“I ran the Desantis Debate Prep in 2018. Though I prefer Trump for President (bigly), the release of these videos by the person operating the camera is disloyal hackery that I do not abide. Staffers who leak on the candidates they’ve done work for deserve the reputations they get,” Gaetz said.

“I was on the DeSantis Debate prep team. These tapes should not have been leaked. It’s low class,” Donalds said.

Dave Abrams, a spokesman for DeSantis’ political team released a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Another swing and a miss from Disney-funded ABC. The best their propaganda machine could do with the 2.5 hours of leaked footage is further prove that Ron DeSantis is unwilling to be anyone but his authentic self — no matter the politics,” Abrams said.

Last week, DeSantis commented on a potential 2024 presidential run announcement in the next month or so, telling a reporter to “stay tuned,” but that it may be coming “very soon.”

Gaetz and Donalds have both endorsed the former president for 2024.