DeSantis attacks Trump as 'out of touch with reality'

Florida Governor DeSantis began his campaign in Iowa, attacking rival Donald Trump as "out of touch" with reality and conservative principles.

"Unfortunately, he has strayed from conservative principles on issues like immigration, Covid-19 response policy, federal spending," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on May 30 at a campaign event in Iowa, referring to former US President Donald Trump.

This is DeSantis' first rally since announcing his candidacy, becoming Trump's top Republican rival. Before his candidacy, DeSantis largely avoided attacking Trump, who was considered the Republican Party's most promising candidate.

Former President Trump also recently attacked Mr. DeSantis over his response to Covid-19, when the Florida governor rejected federal regulations on wearing masks and vaccines.

DeSantis described Trump's criticism as "out of touch with reality" and said Republican voters would respond by supporting him. He said there were tasks that "really take two terms to accomplish," whereas if Trump were re-elected, "he could only serve one term."

"Ron DeSantis is not the person who can truly take on Joe Biden and make America great again," Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Mr. Trump's campaign, responded to Mr. DeSantis' comments.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a campaign event in Clive, Iowa on May 30. Photo: AFP — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a campaign event in Clive, Iowa on May 30. Photo: *AFP*

DeSantis, 44, is starting his campaign after announcing his candidacy on May 24. Iowa is important to DeSantis because it is one of the earliest Republican primary states to vote in February 2024 and has a significant number of voters who disagree with Trump.

After two days in Iowa, Mr. DeSantis will travel to New Hampshire and South Carolina. Mr. Trump, 76, is scheduled to arrive in Iowa on May 31, the same day Mr. DeSantis arrives in New Hampshire. Mr. Trump lost to Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican primary in Iowa.

Todd Jacklin, a voter in Johnston, Iowa, said he was not yet fully committed to the Florida governor after attending the event. "I'm going to keep everything open until February," said Jacklin, 62.

In addition to Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, several Republicans have also announced their candidacies, including former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, broadcaster Larry Elder, and Senator Tim Scott, 57.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from May 9 to 15 found that Trump had the support of 49% of Republicans, with DeSantis in second place at 19%. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has not yet announced his candidacy, and Haley followed at 5% and 4%, respectively.