DeSantis edits Trump out of his election success story

Oct 31, 2023

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SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump introduces Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a homecoming campaign rally at the BB&T Center on November 26, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. President Trump continues to campaign for re-election in the 2020 presidential race. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Good morning and happy Halloween.

Ron DeSantis is revising the story about how Donald Trump helped him become Florida's governor.

DeSantis on Monday told PBD Podcast that he thinks he would have won his 2018 gubernatorial race without the former president’s support. He even told podcast host Patrick Bet-David that Trump’s endorsement actually hurt him with voters who were anti-Trump.

“Trump was a factor in 2018,” he said. “It didn't matter what I did. They were gonna vote against me.”

As proof of his assertion that Trump was a drag on his party, DeSantis pointed to the fact that Democrats won both the House and Senate during the 2018 midterms under Trump’s presidency. DeSantis that year won his race by only half a percentage point — or about 30,000 votes.

DeSantis also noted that in 2022 he won by 1.5 million votes, or 19 points, when he didn’t ask for or receive Trump’s endorsement.

It’s true that DeSantis won reelection by historic margins in 2022 and overperformed compared to Republicans nationally. Florida Democrats had low turnout last year and voters rewarded the governor for pushing schools and businesses to reopen far sooner than many other states during the pandemic, even under heavy criticism.

But the 2018 primary was different. Then a little-known congressman, DeSantis saw a surge in the polls after Trump's endorsement in the gubernatorial primary against frontrunner Adam Putnam, who was the state’s agriculture commissioner. With Trump’s backing, DeSantis blew out Putnam by a 20-point margin (in his book, DeSantis credited a strong debate performance for his primary win).

DeSantis also didn’t mention on Monday the extent to which he’d enthusiastically embraced Trump. He frequently defended Trump on cable news, sought his endorsement and his campaign ran a cheeky ad about how much he was leaning into Trump’s support.

Trump has repeatedly accused DeSantis of being “disloyal” and ungrateful for his help. Asked about DeSantis’ comments on Monday, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung accused DeSantis of trying to "rewrite history" and said he “needs to check himself into a mental institution.” The campaign also repeated Trump’s unproven claim that DeSantis, who is notoriously unemotional, was crying when he asked Trump to support him.

The Trump campaign contends that only Trump deserves credit for DeSantis’ victory, but the 2018 general election was tight, with DeSantis going up against rising Democratic star Andrew Gillum, who was Tallahassee's mayor at the time. The contest was often framed as a referendum between Trumpism and progressivism in Florida, partly because Trump held several rallies with DeSantis across the state.

In his podcast interview, DeSantis also turned the “loyalty” question back at Trump. “How is it showing loyalty when he attacks me three days before my reelection? I had never done anything to him,” DeSantis said, referring to Trump unveiling the nickname “DeSanctimonious” against him. He then went on to say that Trump “trashed Florida repeatedly” yet “his whole family moved to Florida under my governorship.”

The governor’s comments come as polling shows Trump continues to dominate in fundraising and in the polls in early states and also is ahead in Florida. Both DeSantis and Trump are set to appear at the state GOP’s Freedom Summit this weekend in Kissimmee, Fla.

— WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis will join the Hugh Hewitt Show at 8:30 a.m. EST and at 4 p.m. EST he’ll join Fox News Channel’s Your World with Neil Cavuto.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch at: kleonard@politico.com

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... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

TODAY — The Florida 1st District Court of Appeal will hold a public hearing on the redistricting lawsuit. In an unusual move, all the judges on the court will hear arguments from plaintiffs and from Florida officials about the map’s legality.

The maps — which DeSantis muscled through the Legislature — sliced up former Rep. Al Lawson’s north Florida district and civil and voting rights groups argue that the new boundaries weaken the power of Black voters.

Republicans in Congress in part have DeSantis to thank for their slim majorities in the U.S. House, because DeSantis’ map helped them secure four more seats. But it’s possible judges might have the Legislature redraw the maps before the 2024 election in a move that could affect control of the U.S. House. A trial court ruled in August that the map was unconstitutional and the case may eventually end up before the conservative-majority state Supreme Court.

Florida State University Board of Trustees member Joe Gruters speaks during a meeting of the board Tuesday Sept. 23, 2014 in Tallahassee, Fla. Despite significant campus opposition, the trustees voted 11-2 to select state Sen. John Thrasher as its next president. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)

State Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota). | AP

PROPERTY INSURANCE TWIST — “Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) pitched fellow lawmakers to invest in a new insurance company out to make millions after changes in state law,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “When Floridians go to shop around for a new homeowners insurance policy next year, they could find several new companies offering coverage. Including one company backed by a current state senator. Lured by the nation’s highest premiums and new laws making it harder to sue insurance companies, investors see an opportunity in Florida’s broken insurance market. Current and former state officials and other observers said they are receiving regular inquiries from potential investors looking to make a profit.”

DISCOVERY — “GOP operatives ordered to provide records in Engels libel suit,” by the Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin. “Several powerful GOP political operatives, including former Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, will have to turn over a bevy of records, including any showing payments or messages sent to far-right blogger Jacob Engels, as part of a libel suit filed by a former Republican House candidate against Engels.”

HELP FOR PETS — A new bipartisan bill filed in the Florida Legislature would give abuse and neglected pets a court-appointed volunteer attorney, reports the News Service of Florida. “Under the proposal, appointed animal advocates would be allowed to aid in fact-finding, attend hearings and present recommendations to the court. Potential animal advocates would have to undergo training prior to being eligible for appointment.”

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

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FEDERAL LAWSUIT — Disney warned in court papers filed Monday in Tallahassee that it won’t be the last to be punished for expressing a “disfavored viewpoint” if DeSantis wins in the company’s free-speech lawsuit against him. “If the line is not drawn here, there is no line at all,” company attorneys wrote.

The comments were part of Disney’s latest filings, which ask a judge to reject Florida’s request to dismiss the lawsuit. A second filing argued against DeSantis’ claims that he was immune from the lawsuit, by aiming to lay out the case that DeSantis himself had a direct role in revamping the district as a form of political retaliation.

A screen shows the newly reveled logo for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, during a monthly board meeting on June 21, 2023 in Reedy Creek, Florida. | Getty Images

‘TOXIC WORKPLACE’ — Employees of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District are quitting en masse, reports Jason Garcia of Seeking Rents. “More than 30 employees have resigned from the government district that oversees Walt Disney World amid claims of mismanagement under new leadership installed by DeSantis. The departures include nearly half the senior leadership team at the agency formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District — including the district administrator, chief financial officer, building official, fire chief and district clerk.”

NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED — “Schools in Orlando took a tougher approach than a new state law required. Student engagement increased. So did the hunt for contraband phones,” reports NYT’s Natasha Singer.

FORECLOSURE THREAT — People who live in condos in Broward County are struggling to afford property insurance and reserves required since the Surfside collapse, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man. Broward County Commissioner Mark Bogen told Man it would become “a crisis in our state.”

ARRESTED — Authorities charged a 22-year-old in connection with the weekend shooting in Tampa, reports CNN. Fourteen-year-old Elijah Wilson and a 22-year-old man were killed, and 15 more were shot. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office has asked a judge to hold the suspect, Tyrell Phillips, in jail until his trial, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The paper also reported that Phillips said he shot because he was afraid for his safety.

— Wilson’s aunt, Wondra Grooms, said he was a “‘baby’ — a ‘very great kid’ who was raised by his father, Emmitt Wilson, and the teen’s paternal grandmother. He loved football, basketball and video games and was ‘just a joyful kid. He was the life of the party,’” reported Jay Cridlin of The Tampa Bay Times.

WAITING ON U.S. REACTION — “Venezuela’s high court has suspended the opposition’s primary election process, including its result,” by The Associated Press’ Regina Garcia Cano. Venezuela’s high court on Monday also “ordered organizers to hand in documents identifying millions of voters, in the latest challenge by the government of President Nicolás Maduro to its adversaries ahead of the 2024 presidential vote.”

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CAMPAIGN MODE

DROPPED OUT — Former Vice President Mike Pence will no longer be speaking at the Republican Party of Florida’s Freedom Summit this weekend after suspending his campaign for president, Playbook confirmed.

FADING — DeSantis lost both the MAGA crowd and centrists, reports the Washington Post’s Hannah Knowles. “The GOP minority that disapproves of Trump — and that favored DeSantis before he and most other candidates announced — has splintered to other hopefuls … DeSantis has struggled on both ends to make personal appeals that resonate, with a stiffer presentation than freewheeling Trump.”

STILL IN 2ND PLACE — DeSantis is tied with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley at 16 percent in Iowa, according to an NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released Monday. At 43 percent, Trump is still far ahead of his rivals.

DATELINE D.C.

COMING SOON — Florida expects answer from FDA on Canadian drug import plan by December, reports POLITICO’s Arek Sarkissian. Jason C. Weida, secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said during a phone interview that the state answered the last round of questions from the FDA in a revised draft of the application last week. The federal agency was expected to make a decision at the end of October. “I feel like our application is extremely comprehensive and robust and worthy of an approval,” Weida said. “And so I would be very disappointed if we do not get approved.”

BIPARTISAN BILL — A trio of Florida lawmakers wants to waive evacuation costs for Americans escaping Israel. GOP Reps. Neal Dunn and Cory Mills, along with Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, have introduced a bill that would direct the State Department to waive travel fees for U.S. citizens fleeing war or terrorism. Unlike the Florida effort orchestrated by DeSantis, Americans who use the federal flights have to promise to reimburse the government or otherwise pay high interest rates and penalties.

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ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN

DR ROCK — “Meet the Florida legislator 'Breaking the Law' in pleather pants,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s James Call. “A Panhandle physician’s election to the Florida House of Representatives has resulted in the creation of an alter ego, a doctor of rock 'n' roll. On a recent Wednesday, dressed in a white smock over shiny black faux leather pants and wearing four-inch platform boots, Dr. Joel Rudman, M.D., nonchalantly tossed prescription forms to the audience at a Tallahassee nightclub while his band broke into Mötley Crüe’s ‘Dr. Feelgood.’”

SPEAKING OF TUNES — DeSantis opened up about his favorite music on PBD Podcast, saying he works out to classic rock and country and favors 80’s songs. “Rocky” is his favorite movie of all time.

BIRTHDAYS: Former Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño of Steptoe and Johnson ... former U.S. Rep. David Jolly

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