Brexit Party leader and conservative pundit Nigel Farage offered insight into an event he sees looming on the political horizon: a clash between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
After highlighting DeSantis’ spectacular midterm performance in Florida, Farage set the scene for the coming weeks:
“The debate that is going to go on within the Republican Party as to whether they should pick Trump or DeSantis – that is going to reach fever pitch in my opinion over the next few weeks. And I say that as a friend of Donald Trump.”
The GB News host asked how Trump may be responding to DeSantis’ success, with Farage responding,
“I think that’s right. In a world of alpha males, these are two alpha male characters that I think are on the verge of clashing in a big way. Trump has had the overwhelming support of the Republican base. He’s still got that support. But DeSantis now may well be a serious challenger to that position.”
The host asked a follow-up question, “Who do you think will win that fight? What differentiates them?”
Farage responded, “DeSantis is very socially conservative. He is without a doubt done a good job as the governor of Florida. He’s cleared up the election process in Florida…what DeSantis fans are saying is he’s won over the undecideds in the middle, and what Trump does is appeal to a big base who fanatically support him, but not big enough to win the presidency. Against that, I would say Donald Trump is far more down to earth, far more likely to reach working-class voters in the Midwest and the rust belt…
If there was a contest tomorrow as to who Republicans would pick as their presidential candidate, it would be Donald Trump. But, in the light of these results tonight…the number supporting DeSantis will be much higher than before. It could be a titanic clash between two alpha males.”
Nigel Farage is considered a strong conservative, especially for U.K. standards. He was a founding member of the Brexit Party – launched in an attempt to solidify the Brexit vote in 2016. Farage was also a founding member of the UK Independence Party in 1992. He was a vocal supporter of Donald J. Trump in both his 2016 and 2020 presidential runs.
Former President Donald Trump is expected to announce his 2024 presidential bid on November 15th. Addressing an Ohio audience, he said he is planning a “very big announcement” from Mar-a-Lago – a move many political observers assume will be the kickoff of a 2024 campaign. To bolster this assumption, Trump explicitly said at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa that he is “very, very, very probably” going to run for President a second time.
Governor DeSantis currently leads Trump in the betting markets for the GOP nomination. However, it’s been reported that DeSantis has told donors privately that he will NOT run if Trump chooses to run in 2024.
“Why risk a brutal primary fight against a pugilist like Trump?” one individual is quoted as saying. “He can walk into the presidency in 2028 without pissing off Trump or Florida.”
The Political Insider
There is still a ways to go between the aftermath of the 2022 midterms (which aren’t even over yet; see Arizona) and the 2024 election. Campaign season is starting increasingly earlier with each election cycle, so it’s no surprise that moves are already being made by political titans.
Keep reading:
MIDTERM WINS & LOSSES: GOP Shines – and Sinks – on Election Night
3 Responses
I also voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, but I feel he needs to step back and think about what’s best for the Country and the Republican Party, instead of himself. His baggage is daunting and people are tired of his immature ways. I will not vote for him again. I like everything about Ron DeSantis and would most definitely vote for him.
I also voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. I agree with his policies. I do not approve of the way he treats his opponents. As a former 5th grade teacher, I call it fifth grade playground talk which sounds very immature coming from an adult, especially from one running for the President of the United States. If Ron Desantes is on the primary ballot, and I hope he will be, he gets my vote.
I voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. I will not vote for him in 2024 if Desantes is running for the Presidency. Trump has said it all ten times over. He needs to step back and let a real fighter take the lead. Desantis has show what he can do and what he will do.