Former President Trump predicted on Sunday that if he runs for president, most Republican candidates would drop out, and said he would beat Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“I don’t think I will face him,” Trump said, according to Fox News, when asked about potentially facing DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary.
“I think most people would drop out, I think he would drop out.”
EXCLUSIVE: Trump on a 2024 GOP primary vs. Ron DeSantis: ‘I’d beat him like I would beat everyone else’ via @benwerschkul https://t.co/VwgoJnzIZt pic.twitter.com/CAZK6mKLP9
— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) October 3, 2021
Trump has remained the clear leader in the very early polls of Republican candidates considered for 2024. Only DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence have stood out in previous polls above other candidates, though far below Trump.
DeSantis has gained widespread acclaim among conservatives for his strong stands against Dr. Fauci and the Biden administration during the pandemic. The state was one of the first to reopen and has remained focused on personal freedom and choice when it comes to masking and vaccination.
I’m going to be running for reelection next year and we’re also working on a lot of things in the state beyond just the governor’s race,” DeSantis said Thursday on Fox News’ “Hannity.”
Trump clearly remains the frontrunner among Republicans, but other leaders continue to emerge as speculation abounds three years ahead of the next presidential election.
