Trump derides Gov. DeSantis as 'Ron De-sanctimonious' - Orlando Sentinel

The simmering governmental warfare betwixt erstwhile President Trump and Ron DeSantis burst into presumption Saturday night, erstwhile Trump referred to the Florida politician arsenic “Ron De-Sanctimonious.”

Trump’s archetypal nationalist derogatory nickname for DeSantis came conscionable 3 days earlier Tuesday’s Florida predetermination successful which the politician faces Democrat Charlie Crist. Most polls suggest DeSantis has a comfy pb successful the race.

It happened during a rally successful Pennsylvania, wherever Trump was stumping for Republican U.S. Senate campaigner Mehmet Oz.

The erstwhile president enactment canvass numbers connected a surface purporting to amusement Republican elector preferences for the GOP information for president successful 2024.

“There it is, Trump astatine 71. Ron De-Sanctimonious astatine 10 percent,” said Trump. “Mike Pence astatine 7; oh, Mike Pence [is] doing amended than I thought.”

Representatives of the politician did not respond to a petition for remark Sunday.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “sanctimonious” arsenic “hypocritically pious oregon devout.” The Oxford dictionary says it means “making a amusement of being morally superior to different people.”

On Sunday, Trump campaigned for Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio successful Miami. He supported some Rubio and DeSantis, calling them “America-first Republicans” and did not repetition his quip astir the governor.

During the 2016 statesmanlike run Trump tagged Rubio with the nickname of “Little Marco” arsenic the 2 ran for the GOP nomination. Rubio dropped retired of the contention aft losing to Trump successful the Florida GOP primary.

DeSantis had been a staunch state of Trump, who famously endorsed him with a tweet successful his archetypal tally for politician successful 2017. But evident statesmanlike ambitions person soured that alliance.

Trump is reportedly connected the verge of announcing different tally for president arsenic soon arsenic adjacent week. DeSantis has been wide considered to beryllium a GOP campaigner for the White House arsenic well.

At a statement with Crist past month, DeSantis did not reply erstwhile his challenger asked him if we would committedness to service his afloat four-year word if helium wins connected Tuesday. DeSantis besides has drawn disapproval from chap Republicans for refusing to accidental whether helium would bow retired of a 2024 run if Trump jumps in.

South Florida Sun Sentinel unit writer Anthony Man contributed to this report.