Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Trump in Belleair, Florida, in July 2020. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Former President Trump said he'd "beat" Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a Republican presidential primary in 2024 were he to enter the race, per an interview with Yahoo Business, published Sunday.
Why it matters: Both Trump and DeSantis have been floated as likely 2024 contenders.
- While neither has announced a presidential bid, DeSantis held a televised town hall in May during which he praised Trump and repeatedly attacked President Biden.
- Trump has heavily hinted at running again in 2024 and said earlier this year he'd "certainly" consider making DeSantis his running mate.
What he's saying: "If I faced him, I'd beat him like I would beat everyone else," Trump told Yahoo Business.
- “I don't think I will face him," Trump continued. "I think most people would drop out, I think he would drop out."
- Trump added that if he were to run, "I think that I'll do extremely well."
Between the lines: Attorneys for the former president asked a federal judge last Friday to force Twitter to reinstate his account, which the platform indefinitely banned him from due to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot by a pro-Trump mob.
- Twitter was a crucial tool to reach his supporters during the 2016 and 2020 elections and throughout his presidency.
Of note: During an interview with Fox News on Saturday, DeSantis didn't rule out running in 2024 but stressed that he's focused on his governorship for now and any presidential race plans were "way down the road."
- Representatives for DeSantis did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.