Newsom: DeSantis will be ‘crushed’ by Trump, become ‘third or fourth’ in primary
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FLV) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom, continuing a political war between himself and Gov. Ron DeSantis, said the Florida governor will be “crushed” by former President Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican primary.
DeSantis told Newsom to stop “pussyfooting” around last week in response to the Democrat offering to compete in a debate with the Florida governor.
“What I would tell him is, you know what? Stop pussyfooting around! Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe?” DeSantis said.
“Are you going to get in and do it? Or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp?” he continued. “So why don’t you throw your hat in the ring, and then we’ll go ahead and talk about what’s happening [in regards to a televised debate].”
In a new interview, Newsom said the Florida governor is “taking his eye off the ball.”
“And that’s not inconsistent with my own assessment of him, which is he is a weak candidate, and he is undisciplined and will be crushed by Donald Trump, and will soon be in third or fourth in national polls,” Newsom continued.
Newsom was previously interviewed by Fox News’ Sean Hannity, where the host asked Newsom if he would participate in a televised debate.
“I’m all in. Count on it,” Newsom said.
“You would do a two-hour debate with Ron DeSantis?” Hannity replied.
“Make it three. I would do it one day’s notice with no notes. I look forward to that,” Newsom said.
After DeSantis’ “pussyfooting” remarks, Newsom mockingly replied, saying, “So…debate challenge accepted? Or do you need your notes for that, too?”
The governor is campaigning on Newsom’s home turf of California this week.
DeSantis’ political team dropped a new video Monday targeting California and Newsom.
In the video, DeSantis said Americans have witnessed a “great American exodus” from states governed by leftist politicians.
“The American people as a whole have voted with their feet, and you compare Florida versus California,” DeSantis said.
“California’s population has dropped by more than a half million people,” a TV anchor said in the video.
“Where has the population gone?” another anchor asked.
“We’ve witnessed a great American exodus from states governed by leftist politicians,” DeSantis said in the video.
“This is a result of better governance in states like Florida. It is the result of poor governance in these left-wing states. That’s why people are moving,” he said.
