Staff Reports
In a surprising turn of events, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has openly questioned the temperament of former President Donald Trump and his ability to lead the United States again. This comes in response to Trump’s comments about the recent Hamas terror attack in Israel, where he criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being ill-prepared.
DeSantis sounds alarm about Trump’s temperament after the deadly terror attack on Israelhttps://t.co/VpkG6IL7zJ pic.twitter.com/HKm2jQ0V8d
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 16, 2023
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump also accused Netanyahu of letting the United States down for not assisting in the operation that killed Qasem Soleimani. Governor DeSantis believes that Trump’s grudge against Netanyahu for congratulating President Biden after the 2020 election is clouding his judgment. Speaking at the Institute for Politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, DeSantis criticized Trump’s timing, saying, “Why bring [Soleimani] up when their nation is now at war and facing the worst attack they’ve ever faced? That is not how you treat an ally.”
It seems that the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has been strained ever since the Israeli leader acknowledged Biden’s victory, despite Trump contesting the outcome. The animosity between the two is evident in Trump’s words, as he reportedly stated, “I haven’t spoken to him since. F**k him.” Governor DeSantis finds this grudge-holding concerning, stating that elected leaders should not let personal feelings influence their decisions. According to him, decisions should be based on what is best for the people they represent.
Trump’s criticisms of Netanyahu and his questionable remarks about the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah have faced backlash. In contrast, DeSantis claims to prioritize focusing on the greater good and not letting personal feelings interfere. He believes that being a leader means rising above the drama and circus atmosphere that politics has become, and staying focused on accomplishing what needs to be done.
This public disagreement with Trump may also be a part of DeSantis’ larger strategy to regain momentum in the 2024 GOP presidential race. With polls showing him slipping into third place behind Nikki Haley in New Hampshire, DeSantis is shifting his focus to delivering a strong showing in Iowa to gain some much-needed momentum. Meanwhile, Trump maintains a significant lead over his rivals in both states.
