‘I’m not a number 2 guy’: Ron DeSantis says he WON’T be Donald Trump’s running mate
‘I’m not No. 2’: Ron DeSantis says he will NOT be Donald Trump’s running mate if he doesn’t win GOP 2024 nomination – because Florida governor has more clout than VP role
- Ron DeSantis was in Wisconsin on Tuesday and was asked if he would consider becoming Donald Trump’s running mate
- The 44-year-old governor of Florida said he was not interested in the role of vice president and could do more if he remained governor
- Trump’s team reacted caustically, saying DeSantis was “surly and sad, because his number is as small as he is”
Ron DeSantis has ruled out being Donald Trump’s running mate, insisting he was “not number two.”
The Florida governor was in Wisconsin on Tuesday and spoke briefly to a local news podcast, Wisconsin Right Now.
He was asked if he would consider becoming Trump’s vice president.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“I’m not number two. I think I am a leader.
“Governor of Florida: I was able to accomplish a lot. I think I could probably do more by staying there than being VP, which doesn’t really have any authority.”
Ron DeSantis, photographed June 6, has ruled out being Donald Trump’s running mate
Trump and DeSantis can be seen together in November 2019. The pair are now vying for the Republican nomination, with DeSantis trailing by a wide margin
The Trump campaign responded with contempt to DeSantis’ comments.
Ron DeSantis is nobody’s man. He’s not “the man.” He’s just “a guy,” Steven Cheung said.
“Ron is just there, gruff and sad, because his numbers are as small as he is.”
DeSantis is currently trailing Trump by a significant margin.
His 77-year-old rival is at 49.8 percent of the Republican primary voters, while DeSantis himself is at 21 percent.
The Florida governor – once seen as a rising star – has been dogged by claims he has performed poorly on the campaign trail and is unable to connect with voters.
DeSantis, 44, was asked by the podcast hosts who he was considering as his running mate, but he said the question was premature.
“Who do you recommend?” he asked.
“I’m taking it one step at a time, and I think we’ll evaluate that over time.
“I think it’s a bit presumptuous to do it at this stage.
“I’m here to win the early primaries, and that’s what we need to do first.”
A campaign sign featuring Republican presidential candidates Trump and DeSantis stands in a front yard in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 27
When asked if he would consider Joe Biden’s Democratic rival RFK a running mate, DeSantis said he and the notorious anti-vaxxer “worked together on Fauci,” but felt they disagreed too much to be serious political partners.
“I think there are issues that we can tune into,” he said.
“But on most of the issues, I think he’s a Liberal Democrat, so I’m going to pick someone conservative.”
DeSantis did confirm that he would support the eventual Republican nominee, even if it is Trump.
To participate in the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23, candidates must pledge to support the final nominee, whoever that may be.
Trump has not said whether he will sign the pledge.
Nikki Haley and Tim Scott have said they will sign, but Mike Pence, Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy have all declined to give a straight answer.