Donald Trump has warned Ron DeSandis, the governor of Florida, not to challenge him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. The former president also called for new Republican leadership in the US Senate to replace Mitch McConnell as he lays the groundwork for his bid for a second term in the White House. Although DeSantis has not declared his intention to run for president, he is considered Trump’s main challenger for the top of the Republican ticket, and tensions have risen in recent months. “I don’t know if it’s running. I think if he runs, he could hurt himself a lot. I really think he could hurt himself,” Trump told Fox News in an interview released Tuesday. “I think it would be wrong, I think the base wouldn’t like it — I don’t think it would be good for the party,” he added. “If he ran, I’ll tell you things about him that won’t be very flattering. I know more about him than anyone except maybe his wife, who actually runs his campaign,” Trump said. Trump has said he will make a major announcement next week from Mar-a-Lago, suggesting he will likely launch his 2024 campaign shortly after the midterm elections. Although Trump supports Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become speaker of the House of Representatives, he fired a warning shot at Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, calling him a “lousy” leader. “People are very upset with Mitch McConnell — I’ll tell you who is upset with him — the public,” Trump said. Trump has continued to wield influence in the Republican party even after being investigated for his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and a criminal investigation into his handling of classified documents after he left the White House. He also continued to falsely insist that the 2020 election was rigged. It was a stolen election and it must not be allowed to happen again,” he said.
