Trump touts 2017 DeSantis endorsement after governor enters presidential race

"Ron had zero chance of winning. On December 21, 2017, a man named President Donald J. Trump endorsed in support of Ron DeSanctimonious," he said.

By Ben Whedon

Published: May 25, 2023 4:52pm

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday released a video touting his support of Ron DeSantis as the decisive factor in his securing the Republican nomination during the 2018 Florida gubernatorial primary.

"In December of 2017, Ron DeSanctimonious was polling at 5% in the Republican primary for governor of Florida," Trump said. "DeSantis had virtually no endorsements and was being drastically outraised by Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam."

"Ron had zero chance of winning. On December 21, 2017, a man named President Donald J. Trump endorsed in support of Ron DeSanctimonious," he continued. "His polling skyrocketed and DeSantis won the Republican primary 57-37... he did it because of President Trump."

"Thank you very much, Ron. Thank you very much," Trump concluded.

Trump's video, posted to Truth Social, follows the Florida governor's official presidential campaign announcement on Wednesday, which he made in a Twitter Space with platform owner Elon Musk, though technical difficulties marred the event and attracted much of the press coverage.

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