For years, former President Donald Trump has used nicknames to attack, demean, and try to defang his political opponents.
But during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, he appeared to cross a line with his name-calling and attacks.
Trump cited a poll that showed him leading Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and former Vice President Mike Pence in a hypothetical race for the 2024 presidential nomination.
“We’re winning big, big, big in the Republican Party for the nomination like nobody’s ever seen before,” Trump began.
He went on, “Trump at 71. Ron DeSanctimonious at 10 percent. Mike Pence at seven… oh, Mike’s doing better than I thought.”
Watch the video below:
"We're winning big, big, big in the Republican Party for the nomination. […] Trump at 71. Ron DeSanctimonious at 10 percent."
— The Hill (@thehill) November 7, 2022
Former President Trump took aim at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at a campaign rally on Saturday night in Latrobe, Pa. https://t.co/PO1aN8LZzW pic.twitter.com/xvvjRzXVMm
But his jab at DeSantis, who is seen as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, did not sit well with conservatives.
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board criticized Trump in an editorial titled, “Donald Trump Rallies for . . . Donald Trump.”
“Trump’s allies are saying the former President who lost in 2020 is going to announce as early as next week that he’s running for the White House again in 2024. In case you doubt it, Mr. Trump is already mocking his fellow Republicans and potential competitors before Tuesday’s midterm election,” it began.
It noted the former president held a rally in Pennsylvania “ostensibly to boost turnout for GOP Senate candidate Mehmet Oz and nominee for Governor, Doug Mastriano.”
“But as usual with Mr. Trump, the rally turned out to be less for Mr. Oz than for . . . himself,” the editorial continued as it referenced his jab at DeSantis. “Perhaps Mr. Trump thinks that if he can reduce the Governor’s margin of victory on Tuesday Mr. DeSantis will be less likely to challenge him for the nomination.”
Finally, the board wrote, “Mr. Trump wants to clear the GOP presidential field, and he knows that Mr. DeSantis has emerged in the last two years as his strongest potential opponent. A declaration so soon after the election, if he does declare next week, will also be an attempt to deter a possible Justice Department indictment.
“But his focus on his own prospects, and criticizing his fellow Republicans even before a crucial midterm election, is one more reminder that Mr. Trump’s only abiding principle is what’s good for Donald Trump,” it added.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro took to Twitter Monday morning to criticize Trump as well as he wrote, “A few points on ‘Ron DeSanctimonious’: 1. Terrible branding. 2. Reminding everyone you have no discipline by attacking a top gubernatorial candidate popular with the base two days before an election and a week before launching a comeback campaign is…an interesting strategy.”
A few points on "Ron DeSanctimonious":
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 7, 2022
1. Terrible branding.
2. Reminding everyone you have no discipline by attacking a top gubernatorial candidate popular with the base two days before an election and a week before launching a comeback campaign is…an interesting strategy.
It seems Trump may have gotten the message that his jab did not go over well. Because on Sunday, he held a rally in Florida and did not take a swipe at DeSantis.
Based on reports and Saturday’s behavior, it does seem as though Trump is preparing to announce another presidential run. And he appears to be pre-emptively attacking those who could potentially challenge him to try to weaken their standing.
Politicians run for president because they think Americans will like them and vote for them. And for some it is hard to believe that they are not actually popular.
But Trump appears to believe that the nomination is his and that it is essentially owed to him. And to ensure he clinches the nomination, he is starting to take jabs at people — who do not even pose a threat yet — in an apparent attempt to scare them away from the idea of running in the primary.
Perhaps Republicans would once again choose Trump over other younger, more mild candidates. But rather than trying to bully and intimidate potential 2024 contenders out of running, he should show respect to the voters by letting them choose.
That would create a more competitive primary where policy proposals can be debated. It would benefit Republican voters by giving them choices. And it would benefit Trump, if he beat out other candidates, by demonstrating his popularity and his hold on the party by once again defeating a field of potentially impressive candidates.