In reaction to statements made by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who stated that followers of former President Donald Trump required “deprogramming” and likened them to a “cult,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came to their defense. DeSantis defended Trump supporters by saying that they are not a “cult.” DeSantis dismissed Clinton’s comments and characterized Trump’s backers as loyal Americans who want the best for their nation.
When asked how he intended to win over Trump’s followers if he starts criticizing Trump on the campaign trail, DeSantis responded that many people respect what Trump done but also know his limits, such as possible electability concerns and difficulty with personnel. He added that he wanted to win over Trump’s fans by explaining that many people recognize that Trump has limitations. DeSantis underlined that it is OK to talk about Trump’s record, which includes his influence on the national debt and other pledges he made.
It would appear like DeSantis is preparing himself to make a run for the presidency at some point in the future, and his statements reflect his strategy for appealing to various subsets of the Republican base.