CONROE (Texas) — A collection of bumper stickers called “DeSantis 2024”, which was next to the T-shirts “TRUMP WON!” and the “MAKE America GREAT AGAIN” hats sold at the Trump rally in Texas were on sale.
Nikki Rye, a Florida resident who sells Trump gear at his events, stated that the merchandise she uses to promote her state’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis “is very, very sought after.” A life-size cutout depicting DeSantis was also displayed at her shop. Trump is flanked by the other.
The DeSantis memorabilia indicated a shift in the MAGA faithful as Trump seeks a political comeback. The vast majority of those interviewed at Trump’s rally on Texas fairground were excited about the possibility of Trump winning another White House bid. However, some people began to admit that there may be better options.
DeSantis was the top choice for those who were interested in a Trump alternative.
These were people like Kim Mitchell (62), who lives in Canyon Lake in Texas and was thrilled to see Trump in person. They have been loyal supporters for many years. A Trump flag is proudly displayed in their garage. They both promise to support Trump if he runs again.
Mitchell stated that she could see the advantages of a less polarizing alternative.
“You know, there are many people out there who seem to share the same beliefs as he does. She said that people don’t love them. She blamed Biden’s win on election fraud, which was rejected by the courts and election officials, and the visceral hatred Trump instills. “I hate to admit that, because it feels like I’m being disloyal.”
She’s not the only one.
According to a recent poll by The Associated Press-Center for Public Affairs Research, 71% of Republicans are favorable about Trump. However, 56% of Republicans want him to run again for office in 2024. According to the poll, 44% of Republicans don’t want Trump running.
A recent NBC poll has found that Republicans identify more as Republicans than Trump supporters by a margin of 20 points. This is a reverse of sentiment seen before 2020.
Frank Luntz, a long-time GOP pollster, has conducted focus group discussions of voter opinion. He said that Republicans are now split into three distinct groups: those who are moving on from Trump; those who will follow him off the cliff; and those who are “really grateful for him, follow him, but are open to other options.”
Luntz stated that he still has a core group of between one-third to 40% who will vote for him regardless of what. It is now a minority. It was the majority until six months ago. It is now a minority.
As Trump seems more interested in winning the 2020 election than in issues that affect voters’ lives every day, like inflation, cracks are beginning to form in his support base. This could open the door to DeSantis, who is a Trump-like candidate but has less national political baggage.
“I have been hearing about the DeSantis guy. Kathy Miguez (58), a Dayton, Texas resident who works in a grocery shop, said that he would make a great next candidate. He sounds a lot like Donald Trump, according to what I have heard.
DeSantis has used the COVID-19 pandemic to his advantage, presenting Florida as a beacon for freedom over the past two years. Public health experts have called him reckless and dangerous for his hostility towards basic public health precautions.
As he seeks to energize the GOP base, he has lean further into policies to energize it. He pledged to establish a law enforcement agency in investigation of alleged election crimes. And pushing for a bill that would ban schools and businesses from making people “discomfort” by teaching students about discrimination.
Requests for comment from Trump and DeSantis were not answered by either of their representatives. People close to Trump claim that he has been watching the governor closely, even though both men dismiss any talk of tension as a media invention.
According to people familiar, Trump has been annoyed by DeSantis refusing to rule out a run for president in 2024 if he moves forward.
Trump was slamming politicians like DeSantis for refusing to reveal whether they had received COVID-19 booster shot. DeSantis said that one of his greatest regrets as an officeholder was not speaking out against the COVID-19 precautions Trump advocated in the early days. Trump has largely avoided vaccinations and instead criticized mandates.
Trump remains the favorite of GOP voters. All signs indicate that he is ready to run for the nomination in 2024, if he so desires. After raising more than $50m in the second half last year, Trump’s political committee announced Monday it had more than $122million cash. He still draws thousands of people to distant fairgrounds despite being out of office for more than a decade.
Trump’s grip on the party base has been strong, so any shifts in support are notable. Trumpism is not a cult about one man. It’s a movement that encompasses candidates such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, a conspiracy-mongering Georgian who has embraced Trump’s policies and copied his attention-grabbing tactics.
DeSantis is a potential Trump 2024 running partner and 2028 presidential candidate.
Thor Pearson, 32-year-old El Paso resident, said that Trump “is paving a path for DeSantis’ run in 2028.” “And I would absolutely be happy because DeSantis, a great Republican. He’s doing everything right, I believe.”
There are many others, such as a woman who claimed Trump would be reinstalled in her position of president “imminently.” Other people maintain that Trump is the current president of the United States.
However, most are still all in on Trump in 2024.
“We’re hoping. We are praying,” he runs for office in 2024, Janice Shelton (55), said. Janice Shelton lives in Austin. She said Trump is the best choice because “he’s tried and true.”
“DeSantis will never pull this crowd together. She said that he’s never going to do it.
It’s an easy decision. Jonathan Riches, 45 from Tampa, Florida, echoed the sentiment. Riches had slept in his car rental overnight and was now attending his 41st Trump rally. Riches stated that he would support any future candidate receiving Trump’s endorsement but said that he believes DeSantis will be President one day.
He stated, “I believe that Trump will hand the baton over to him.” This was also possible in 2024.
Many believe that Trump is the best candidate.
“We like Ron DeSantis. … “But to get us out the hole that we are in now, we need Trump to race again,” Susan Roland, 63, said. She lives in Sugarland in Texas and was one of hundreds of Trump supporters who marched to the U.S. Capitol during Jan. 6’s insurrection.
Perry, Perry’s husband, said, “I believe he is the only one with intestinal fortitude to restore our country.”
Mitchell of Canyon Lake said that he believes Donald Trump will do the best for America. He will be very involved in the outcome, even if he isn’t running for President.
She said, “It must be someone that believes in Trump and will listen to him, even if it’s whispering in their ears and telling them,” I like to think of Trump being the one pushing everyone up.
