DeSantis appears to swat down prospect of being Trump's VP

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this week appeared to dismiss the idea that he could become former President Donald Trump's running mate in 2024.

Appearing on Newsmax Thursday evening, the governor responded to such a scenario by asserting that he prefers to be the one in charge. 

"I think I am probably more of an executive guy. I think that you want to be able to do things," he replied, according to the Epoch Times. "That’s part of the reason I got into this job, is because we have action. We’re able to make things happen, and I think that’s probably what I’m best suited for."

Polling data has consistently shown DeSantis to be the most formidable challenger to Trump, though he has yet to declare his candidacy. Recent surveys, however, have shown Trump surging ahead of all of his potential rivals, including DeSantis.

Though the prospect of a Trump-DeSantis ticket has sparked rumors for months, the pair have had a somewhat hostile relationship as the Florida governor appears to be preparing a challenge to the former president.

Trump has lobbed numerous criticisms at the governor, calling him "average" and bestowing him the diminutive nickname "Ron DeSanctimonius." The former president has often dubbed his opponents with humorous nicknames such as "Pocahontas" for Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and "Lil' Marco" for Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.