Former rivals Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump were once competitors in the race for the Republican presidential candidacy. However, now that Trump has secured the nomination, DeSantis is turning his attention towards their common adversary: President Joe Biden.
During his speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, DeSantis publicly endorsed Trump for the first time, but the majority of his remarks were aimed at criticizing the Democratic Party and its policies.
“Let’s send Joe Biden back to his basement, and let’s send Donald Trump back to the White House,” DeSantis declared. “We need a commander-in-chief who can lead 24 hours a day, seven days a week. America cannot endure another four years of a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ presidency.”
DeSantis referred to President Biden as a “figurehead” of the Democratic Party, drawing parallels to the 1989 comedy film. He expressed confidence that Trump could defeat the incumbent and his liberal agenda.
RELATED STORY | Nikki Haley sounds a unity message at the Republican National Convention
“Donald Trump is the obstacle in their path, and he stands up for America,” DeSantis asserted. “Despite being vilified, sued, prosecuted, and surviving near-death experiences, we must not falter in supporting him and our nation.”
DeSantis was initially regarded as Trump’s primary contender for the Republican presidential nomination, but he withdrew from the race just two days before the New Hampshire primary in January.
Although no longer a candidate, DeSantis remains a favorite among conservative Americans, particularly for his stances on school policies, such as book bans, and anti-abortion measures that he championed in his RNC address.
He highlighted how Florida shifted to a predominantly Republican state under his “bold leadership,” a central theme of his campaign, and advocated for similar transformations throughout the country under a Trump administration.
“Let’s elevate the 45th president to the 47th president,” DeSantis urged. “Support Republican candidates at every level and answer the nominee’s call to vigorously defend the United States.”
