JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump appeared to take a subtle shot at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a campaign rally Saturday night in Pennsylvania.
At one point during his speech, Trump referred to the Florida governor as “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
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According to Oxford Languages, sanctimonious is a derogatory term used to describe someone who is “making a show of being morally superior to other people.”
Many expect that Trump and DeSantis will both vie for the Republican nomination for president in 2024, though neither has officially announced.
“Ron DeSanctimonious”
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) November 6, 2022
pic.twitter.com/MDawuZcBam
Aides to the former president are said to be making quiet preparations for a 2024 presidential campaign that could be launched soon after next week’s midterm elections as Trump tries to capitalize on expected Republican wins to propel himself toward becoming the front-runner for his party’s nomination.
“I’m like 95% he’s going to run,” said Reince Priebus, Trump’s former White House chief of staff. “The real question,” he added, “is are other big challengers going to run? If President Trump runs, he will be very difficult for any Republican to defeat.”
Early 2024 polls show Trump leading DeSantis in a potential match-up, but experts say the Florida governor would likely be the greatest threat to the former president. Other potential Republican nominees include former Vice President Mike Pence and Rep. Liz Cheney.
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Trump will be in Miami for a rally with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday. Rubio is running against Democrat Val Demings.
For now, DeSantis is attempting to be reelected to a second term as governor and going up against Democrat Charlie Crist.
Election Day is Tuesday.