Master troller DeSantis largely avoids Trump

Kimberly Leonard's must-read briefing on what's hot, crazy or shady about politics in the Sunshine State

Aug 15, 2023 View in browser   By Kimberly Leonard Gov. Ron DeSantis is renowned for finding creative ways to get under his opponents' skin. Sometimes he does it overtly — such as dumping migrants in Martha’s Vineyard or California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s backyard — and other times he takes more subtle tactics, such as when he signed an anti-Covid-19 vaccine mandate in Brandon, Fla., in a nod to President Joe Biden’s derisive nickname. From suspending state prosecutors to his feud with Disney World, DeSantis’ political ploys or stunts against liberals not only netted him national headlines, but shocked and enraged his opponents. “DeSantis and his team have, through the last couple of years, figured out clever ways to stay in the news, to boost DeSantis’ name recognition and to attract potential Republican primary voters,” said Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, in an interview. So now that DeSantis is in the biggest battle of his political career, why hasn’t former President Donald Trump been the target of his trolls?  Pre-presidential campaign, DeSantis certainly found ways to trigger the ex-president: He held an anti-COVID vaccine roundtable in Palm Beach, near Mar-a-Lago.  He spoke before fawning conservatives at Trump National Doral in Miami as rumors swirled about how Trump would take it.  During an official event, he praised a conservative lawyer who represented Dominion Voting Machines in its defamation lawsuit against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.  After Trump canceled a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, citing inclement weather, DeSantis made a stop nearby and remarked that it was a “beautiful” evening.  Some of the actions went over many people’s heads, but Trump would fume in response, including by lashing out aggressively on Truth Social. Yet ever since the DeSantis campaign launched almost three months ago, Trump has successfully trolled DeSantis more than the other way around. It could be that Trump is just the wrong target for DeSantis' approach. The governor may be concerned about isolating Trump’s supporters, Jewett said. It could also be that while DeSantis is good at trolling, Trump is better. Trump doesn't seem to worry about how low he can go, Jewett said. “He has broken so many traditional political norms that he doesn’t care or worry," he added. "That’s sort of liberating for Trump, but it makes it a little difficult for DeSantis even if he were to try.” Trump’s campaign seems to agree with this assessment, and keeping in the theme of subtle jabs, they dug at DeSantis’ baseball-star background when asked for comment. “There’s a difference between the major leagues and the minor league,” said Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesman. “President Trump is playing at an MVP level in the majors while DeSantis is whiffing at tee ball.” Five months remain until the Iowa Caucuses, so maybe DeSantis’ will needle Trump anew. Asked whether DeSantis would launch political stunts against Trump, similar to what he had in the past, the DeSantis campaign pushed back, instead calling the governor “the most diligent and effective conservative leader in the country.” "It's the left who utilize political stunts to further their unpopular ideological agenda,” press secretary Bryan Griffin said, citing examples such as anti-Florida travel advisories and backlash to book removals in public schools. “As governor, Ron DeSantis has been the most effective leader at pushing back on their agenda and reversing their capture of institutions like the education system.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is doing a virtual press conference with reporters from New England. He’ll also join “Nightside” with Dan Rea on WBZ 1030 AM. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: kleonard@politico.com Good morning and thanks for starting your day with Florida Playbook. I’m Kimberly Leonard, and starting today I’ll be authoring this newsletter. Thank you for the privilege of your time and attention. TALKER — DeSantis scraps Cabinet and clemency meetings that conflict with debate week, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: The meeting was called off late Friday, according to an email that went out from the DeSantis administration to the three Cabinet offices and obtained by POLITICO. The governor’s office and members of the Cabinet — three statewide elected officials who are Republicans — did not give any reasons as to why the meeting was canceled.   A NEW PODCAST FROM POLITICO: Our new POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy around the world. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and cybersecurity, POLITICO Tech explores how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, innovations and industries that will matter tomorrow. SUBSCRIBE AND START LISTENING TODAY.     TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP BACK IN COURT — Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, the third defendant in the Trump classified documents case, is headed back to court at 10 a.m. in Fort Pierce, Fla., today, to be arraigned. The Department of Justice has accused De Oliveira of trying to delete security footage investigators sought when they were seeking evidence regarding Trump’s alleged hoarding of classified material. The arraignment was already delayed twice after De Oliveira failed to secure a lawyer based here, as the rules require. He faces four charges, including making false statements and conspiracy to obstruct justice. RELATED — “Feds say Trump not entitled to ‘special treatment’ in documents case,” by CNBC’s Dan Mangan Former President Donald Trump speaks at a fundraiser event for the Alabama GOP, Aug. 4, 2023, in Montgomery, Ala. | Butch Dill/AP Photo FOURTH INDICTMENT — Trump, 18 allies charged with racketeering scheme over bid to subvert election in Georgia, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney:  Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis leveled the charges Monday night after a two-year investigation that also tagged Trump with allegations that he conspired to derail the Electoral College process, marshaled the Justice Department to bolster his scheme, pressured Georgia officials to undo the election results and repeatedly lied about fraud allegations to ratchet up pressure. STEALTH EDIT — The county court in Georgia in which Trump was charged briefly posted and then quickly took down a document Monday that detailed several charges against the ex-president. RELATED — WaPo on “How Donald Trump tried to undo his loss in Georgia in 2020.” — “Judge overseeing Trump’s hush money case won’t recuse himself,” by POLITICO’s Erica Orden DESANTISLAND DIALING FOR DOLLARS — “Top Florida legislators compete to raise money for DeSantis,” by The Messenger’s Marc Caputo: “The top two fundraisers will attend the first debate with DeSantis next week in Milwaukee. The effort, helmed by Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, was put together last week in a call with lawmakers led by Renner and DeSantis’s new campaign manager, James Uthmeier, who’s the outgoing chief of staff in the governor’s office.” — “DeSantis urges Bob Iger to drop Disney lawsuit, accept the end of ‘special privileges,’” by CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger  REDISTRICTING FIGHT — “Deal reached in redistricting lawsuit. Outcome is a gamble for DeSantis and Democrats,” by the Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klaas: “Under the agreement the plaintiffs will drop their legal challenges to congressional districts in Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, and focus arguments on the North Florida district they say violates state and federal voting rights protections for Black voters.” — “Florida’s pension bought more Bud Light stock before DeSantis threatened to sue,” by Barron’s Ed Lin  — “How should DeSantis handle Trump? Strategists suggest dropping out or becoming a different person,” by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley  ANALYSIS — “The Ron DeSantis slump,” by the New Yorker’s Benjamin Wallace-Wells: “One theory circulating among politicos right now is that DeSantis simply waited too long to enter the race.” TV HITS — “Fox and other right-wing channels lavish attention on Trump. DeSantis is far, far behind,” by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man: “Trump had had more than 6.5 times the candidate airtime that DeSantis received on Fox, Newsmax and OAN in June and July. The figures were reported Monday by Media Matters For America, a left-leaning organization that monitors conservative media.” ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... DISNEY DISTRICT — “Florida ethics chairperson, a DeSantis appointee, sets up possible conflict with job,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Romy Ellenbogen: “State statute says members appointed to the state’s top ethics commission may not ‘hold any public employment’” but the official in question, Glen Gilzean, became administrator of the DeSantis-controlled Central Florida Tourism Oversight district in May. Key paragraph: “It’s not clear if Gilzean’s role constitutes public employment, but if it does, it seems that Gilzean would be in violation of the commission rules, said Jim Waldman, another member of the ethics commission. Waldman, a Democrat, was also appointed to the commission by DeSantis.”   DON’T MISS POLITICO’S TECH & AI SUMMIT: America’s ability to lead and champion emerging innovations in technology like generative AI will shape our industries, manufacturing base and future economy. Do we have the right policies in place to secure that future? How will the U.S. retain its status as the global tech leader? Join POLITICO on Sept. 27 for our Tech & AI Summit to hear what the public and private sectors need to do to sharpen our competitive edge amidst rising global competitors and rapidly evolving disruptive technologies. REGISTER HERE.     PENINSULA AND BEYOND LAWSUIT — “College professors, students, sue to block Florida’s law banning DEI spending,” by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: “In a lawsuit filed in Tallahassee federal court, the group is asking to block Florida from carrying out FL SB 266, a higher education package passed by Republican lawmakers earlier this year that prohibits schools from spending any state or federal funding on most programs or campus activities that advocate for diversity and inclusion policies or promote political or social activism, something specifically asked for by DeSantis.” SENTENCED — “Former aide to Miami Mayor sentenced to 6 years in prison for child porn,” by Florida Politics’ Jesse Scheckner: “Rene Pedrosa, a former aide to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, is heading to federal prison on child pornography charges. U.S. District Judge Robert Scola sentenced Pedrosa to six years behind bars. Once released, he will be subject to 15 years of supervision. He’ll also have to register as a sex offender.” — “Soaring home insurance costs are pushing these families out of Florida,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Madison Hahamy Transitions Alex Mena tapped as the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald executive editor. Miami native Gabe Gutierrez is joining NBC News’ White House team early next month. He formerly was NBC News national correspondent based in New York. The TECO State & Regional Affairs team has three new members: Andy Taylor, regional manager for Pasco and East Hillsborough counties Joel Brown, regional manager for Tampa/Hillsborough County Jane Hennessy, state coordinator joining the Tallahassee office   ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: Aniqa Borachi of Pinkerton   Follow us on Twitter Kimberly Leonard @leonardkl   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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