Trump and DeSantis-supporting super PACs trade ad blows
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – While Gov. Ron DeSantis is not directly responding to persistent criticisms from former President Donald Trump and his supporters, a DeSantis-supporting super PAC is.
Never Back Down, which was formed to support DeSantis in a hypothetical 2024 presidential campaign, has been serving as the “rapid response” avenue against some criticisms and attacks from “Trump world.”
Make America Great Again Inc. is a prime Trump super PAC – an organization that independently spends funds in support of a political cause or candidate – which recently released a “Pudding Fingers” attack ad on the governor.
April 14, the Trump-supporting group released the ad beginning on unproven claims that DeSantis “ate pudding with his fingers” and focusing on claims that the Florida governor “voted to cut Social Security” and wants to raise the retirement age.
The attacks on Social Security against the Florida governor are similarly voiced by Democrats, who have a dedicated page on their website saying “DeSantis repeatedly supported cuts to Social Security, Medicare.”
“Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off our money. Oh, can someone get this man a spoon?” the narrator said.
Later that same day was Trump’s speech at the National Rifle Association’s convention.
Shortly before Trump took the stage, Never Back Down released an ad with video of Trump voicing support of gun control policies like “red flag” laws, raising the age to purchase firearms to 21, enhancing background checks, “getting rid of the bump stocks,” and arguing policymakers should “fight” the NRA “every once in a while.”
“I have called for red flag laws,” Trump is heard saying. “I like taking the guns early […] Take the guns first, go through due process second.”
“We’re getting rid of the bump stocks,” he also said, a ban later struck down by a court.
Florida implemented “red flag” policies and other restrictions, like raising the age to purchase some firearms to 21, in 2018 under Gov. Rick Scott in the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
Then, over the weekend, the same super PAC launched an anti-Trump ad slamming him for “attacking the Republican governor of Florida” while facing a New York indictment from District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat.
“Trump should fight Democrats, not lie about Governor DeSantis,” the narrator said.
DeSantis remains out of the 2024 race, but has said he will look into a potential decision after the Florida Legislature wraps up its session in May.
In the middle of May, DeSantis will reportedly travel to Iowa, his second stop in the state.
