After accusing DeSantis of trying to out-Trump the former president, Newsom asked him, ‘How’s that going for you, Ron?’
During a prime-time debate on Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis engaged in a heated discussion, as Fox News host Sean Hannity struggled to stop the two from shouting over each other.
Newsom consistently used former president Donald Trump against DeSantis throughout the debate by asserting that DeSantis is “trying to out-Trump Trump” in the GOP 2024 presidential primary race.
“You’re trying to find migrants and play political games to get some news attention so you can out-Trump Trump, and by the way, how’s that going for you, Ron?” Newsom said.
“You’re down 41 points in your own home state,” Newsom said, hitting the Florida governor over his inability to break Trump’s strong lead in the Republican presidential primary polling.
Despite DeSantis’s accusations that Newsom is running a “shadow campaign” in 2024, Newsom repeatedly denied these claims.
“You’re trying to find migrants and play political games to get some news attention so you can out-Trump Trump, and by the way, how’s that going for you, Ron?” Newsom said.
“You’re down 41 points in your own home state,” Newsom said, hitting the Florida governor over his inability to break Trump’s strong lead in the Republican presidential primary polling.
“There’s one thing … that we have in common is that neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024,” Newsom said.
“When are you going to drop out and give Nikki Haley a shot to win?” Newsom asked DeSantis, citing the insurgent campaign of the former UN ambassador.
DeSantis criticised Newsom, a key surrogate for President Biden’s re-election campaign, for his state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and handling of crime.
In return, Newsom defended Biden’s policies and supported Bidenomics despite DeSantis’ criticism.
“He’s joined at the hip with Biden and [Vice President Kamala] Harris,” DeSantis said, adding that “what California represents is the Biden-Harris agenda on steroids.”
Newsom went on to criticise DeSantis’ incorrect pronunciation of Harris’ first name, saying he should show more respect for the vice president, Axios reported.
DeSantis and Newsom, two prominent national governors, have previously engaged in an ongoing public feud over cultural issues, displaying personal insults and attacks on each other’s handling of social issues.
Tensions between them were obvious during their heated debate that took place on Thursday night.
Hannity asked the two governors to let the “debate breathe” after they repeatedly talked over each other, adding that he does not want to be a “hall monitor.”
Newsom repeatedly defended the Biden administration and gave it an “A” for its record so far.
“I will take Joe Biden at 100 versus Ron DeSantis any day of the week at any age,” Newsom said.
