Republican voters discuss DeSantis-Trump rivalry at Fox & Friends event

TEQUESTA — The conservative FOX News network’s top-rated morning show came to town on Friday and played to local viewers. Confrontation between Trump and DeSantis other political issues.

“Who likes Donald Trump? Who likes the Governor?” called upon to give loud and fervent cheers. 2024 Republican Presidential Candidates.

As Doucy spoke to people from tableside to dockside, the scene was festive with live music, cheering and waving at the cameras. Behind the network’s microphone, former President Donald Trump, the state’s most popular and powerful politician, Governor Ron DeSantiselicited a decidedly mixed response from the crowd, mostly dressed in Trump and MAGA apparel and accessories.

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The Tequesta crowd on the FOX News program cited the importance of immigration and foreign policy. and loyalty.

Donna Cocomazzi, a Palm Beach Gardens Republican in a sequined costume showing the American flag, said Trump will “do whatever he can to help America” ​​in next year’s primary. said he would vote for

Kokomazzi said he was “very sad” to have the governor, who announced his White House run on Wednesday, join the presidential primary.

“We elected him governor,” Mr Cocomazzi said. “We didn’t elect him for president, and now he’s running for president.”

Kokomazzi wasn’t the only one to express disappointment.

Another attendee, Randy Randi, the production director of local Trump fan club Club 47, said Trump has a track record as president, particularly in terms of global and foreign policy, but DeSantis does not. said. But Randy said he was also disturbed by the governor’s apparent lack of loyalty.

Mr. Randy said of DeSantis, “I’m disappointed with the loyalty issue. That’s what bothers me the most.” “I like him as a governor, as the best governor in this country, but I don’t think he’s ready for prime time. The global external challenges we face today. I don’t think he’s ready to respond to.”

Criticism of loyalty is a continuing complaint of President Trump. Even his closest friends and supporters. They allege that DeSantis won the governorship thanks to Trump’s supportive tweets in 2018. In the letter, they point out, Trump called the then-Governmental Florida gubernatorial candidate a “brilliant young leader,” which they argued was what led DeSantis to victory in the first place. there is He edged Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum by 32,000 votes in the Republican primary.

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But Jupiter resident Robert Smosky said he only wants the “best of the best” in office, whether it’s DeSantis or Trump. Smoski said DeSantis was a “great governor” especially through the pandemic, so he wasn’t shaken by his running.

Smosky said he agrees with Trump’s immigration and foreign policy stances, but is uncomfortable with him attacking other candidates with personal attacks. He thinks Mr. DeSantis is “more laid-back” than Mr. Trump, but he won’t “conquer the stage” like Mr. Trump.

“I’ve always been pro-Republican, anti-Biden. I don’t care who it is,” Smoski said of the president. “I’d be happy to win one of them, but I’m not happy with Biden.”

DeSantis joins race as Trump trails Trump in polls in Florida

DeSantis launched his candidacy for president Wednesday night through a flawed Twitter space conversation with billionaire Elon Musk and businessman David Sachs. Despite making a rocky first impression on the public, DeSantis’ campaign announced it had raised $8.2 million in the first 24 hours of his official inauguration.

DeSantis’ long-awaited announcement comes after a string of weak poll numbers against Trump and after the former president’s campaign and the PAC, which backs him, released multiple personal attack ads against the governor. Trump has spent months addressing conservative groups and leaders across the country about the president’s ambitions, amid growing speculation that Mr DeSantis intends to challenge a former close political ally. This included remarks criticizing the governor of Florida for being “disloyal”.

A poll of Republican voters in Florida earlier this month showed Trump leading DeSantis by 28 percentage points. Numerous other country- and state-specific surveys across the country show Trump has a large lead over DeSantis.

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Tiki 52 on Friday morning showed a large majority of Trump support, despite the cheering of the governor at Doucy’s call.

Kelly Kensington, who is a local Republican and a member of Club 47, said she fully supports Trump. While Kensington loves DeSantis as governor, he said he would not endorse him as a presidential candidate.

Decked out in MAGA gear, the North Palm Beach resident said Trump would beat DeSantis and Biden on the back of MAGA’s loyal backing. She said DeSantis lied by saying he was running for governor when he was “running for president.”

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“We feel he owes us the next election,” Kensington said of Trump. “So we stand by him 100%… We love Ron DeSantis as governor and he should have stayed our governor. He should stay and run for office in 2028. was.”

One attendee named Bryan, who did not want his last name published, was the only attendee wearing a “DeSantis 2024” hat. He said he was worried about losing. election.

He said Trump and DeSantis are very similar politically, but the way DeSantis beat Trump was that while Trump was “good” to voters, Trump was “better because of his character.” better and will be more successful,” he said. He is a polarized person. ”

“Trump is a second term president,” Bryan said, noting that Trump would constitutionally be unable to seek re-election if elected again. “After two years, he’s a lame duck. If he loses the House or the Senate, he’s no good. So we have two years, but who’s the mastermind? That’s my only blow to him.”

Stephanie Mattat is a political reporter. Palm Beach Post, part of USA TODAY– Florida Network.please contact her smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE NOW.