As was known in advance, DeSantis reportedly announced his Republican candidacy via Twitter Spaces, in conversation with Twitter owner Elon Musk. But due to technical glitches and dodgy connections, it didn’t happen for tens of minutes. It still worked after a while, after which DeSantis officially announced himself as a presidential candidate. “In the last few months he raised $200 million, put together a whole team and handled everything with a super professional attitude. When that happens, it’s very painful. In retrospect, perhaps he shouldn’t have left the start of his campaign in the hands of chaotic Elon Musk,’ thinks Mens.
‘The polls don’t mean much yet’
Despite this, DeSantis is “the only one who can prevent Donald Trump from becoming leader of the Republicans and therefore president again,” says the American expert on the basis of recent polls. Yet Trump is far ahead in terms of popularity among Republicans in polls. “He’s around 50% and DeSantis is around 20%. But when you’re up against someone as famous as Trump, it’s obviously no surprise that he starts in second position. And there are still months to change it,’ underlines the American expert.
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Primary elections in January
Republican presidential candidates have until January to convince Republican voters. Then there will be a vote in Iowa. “Polls don’t mean much at the moment,” Mens says. He looks forward especially to the month of August, when the Republican candidates will debate each other. “Then those polls can still change a lot.”
DeSantis is trying to pivot his campaign on Trumpism, which is still rampant in the Republican Party. “He’s basically saying, ‘I’m Trump, but without all the chaos.’ He also talks about ‘surgical precision,’ going to the office, working hard and getting results,” Mens explains. DeSantis is best known in Florida for fighting against so-called ‘woke idealism.’ For example, he wants to limit the rights of transgender people. , censors books on racism and gender and is on a collision course with the Disney corporation over the pro-LGBTI attitude of the amusement park which also has a branch in Florida.
In addition to DeSantis and Trump, Republican Senator Tim Scott, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Governor Asa Hutchinson also ran for the Republican presidential nomination. “A few more could be added,” expects Mens, who looks to, among other things, former Trump Vice President Mike Pence.