Two House Republicans involved in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' debate preparation during his 2018 campaign have denounced the leak of debate preparation videos, which ABC News released on Sunday.
Representatives Byron Donalds and Matt Gaetz, both of Florida, who have already expressed their support for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, have called the leak an example of petty politics.
Gaetz tweeted that he ran the DeSantis Debate Prep in 2018 and that the release of the videos by the person operating the camera is disloyal hackery that he does not abide by. Donalds, who was on the DeSantis Debate prep team, said that the tapes should not have been leaked and that it is low class.
The leaked tapes to ABC show DeSantis questioning how to express his differences with then-President Trump without angering his base, which could be a preview of the Florida governor's expected run for the presidency in 2024 against Trump.
In a mock debate for governor, DeSantis was asked by Gaetz if there was any issue upon which he disagreed with President Trump. DeSantis replied that he had to figure out how to do this and that he had to frame it in a way that would not upset all of Trump's voters.
Dave Abrams, a DeSantis' political team spokesman, dismissed the leak in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling it another swing and a miss from Disney-funded ABC. Abrams said that the best their propaganda machine could do with the 2.5 hours of leaked footage further proves that Ron DeSantis is unwilling to be anyone but his authentic self, regardless of the politics.
DeSantis said in the tapes that he would clarify that he supports Trump's agenda. The then-congressman won Trump's endorsement for his government bid. He also said that if he disagrees with Trump, he privately talks to him. Fox News Hanna Patrick contributed to this report.
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