Ron DeSantis, an aspiring candidate for the 2024 presidential race, has added his voice to the growing chorus of critics denouncing President Trump’s friendly remarks toward North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Friday to congratulate Kim on North Korea’s appointment to the WHO’s executive board. In his post, he defended Kim by sharing a critical article from American Greatness that questioned the decision to grant WHO membership to the country.
Expressing his disbelief, DeSantis addressed reporters during his visit to Iowa on Saturday, stating, “I was taken aback by that.”
The Florida governor launched a scathing attack on the World Health Organization, branding Kim a “murderous dictator” responsible for imprisoning an entire family, including an innocent baby, for life.
Highlighting his concerns, DeSantis criticized the financial state of the World Health Organization, declaring it bankrupt. He further questioned the wisdom of supporting an organization that includes Kim Jong Un.
“We should be disengaging from that and rejecting the WHO’s oppressive measures, rather than celebrating our involvement with them,” he asserted.
While Trump’s praise for the autocratic leader persists, the article he referenced actually criticized North Korea’s admission to the WHO due to the regime’s long history of human rights violations under Kim and his family’s rule.
Despite most polls indicating that Trump enjoys a 20-point lead over DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential race, the Florida governor has recently launched a scathing campaign against the former president. DeSantis has accused Trump of ineffectiveness during his time in office.
In response, Trump has devoted a significant portion of his time on Truth Social to attacking DeSantis, resorting to baseless accusations and even labeling him as “Rob DeSanctimonious.”
DeSantis is not alone in his criticism of Trump’s praise for Kim. Former Vice President Mike Pence and Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and a contender for the 2024 presidential race, have also spoken out against Trump’s stance.
Former Vice President Pence, widely expected to announce his own presidential bid in the coming weeks, emphasized the importance of standing up for freedom in the world. He stated, “This is a moment when we should clearly demonstrate our commitment to freedom and stand with those who share our values.”
Echoing these sentiments, Haley appeared on Fox News, expressing her disagreement with congratulating a leader she referred to as a “thug.” She highlighted the threats Kim has posed to the United States and its allies, emphasizing the need for a serious approach.
“He is a despicable individual, not only for his own people but also for our international allies. Congratulating him is unwarranted,” the former governor of South Carolina concluded.