Republican presidential candidate Governor Ron DeSantis faced criticism on Saturday for a comment he made about former President Donald Trump's loyal base, with critics arguing that it made him sound like "Crooked Hillary" Clinton.
During a recent interview, DeSantis argued that the movement behind Trump is centered around personality rather than principle. He stated, "A movement can't be about the personality of one individual. The movement has to be about what you are trying to achieve on behalf of the American people, and that has to be based in principle."
DeSantis further expressed concern that if the movement is not rooted in principle, it risks becoming a "listless vessel" that blindly follows whatever is posted on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social.
The governor also claimed that Trump's base values loyalty to the former president over conservative principles, and that anyone who does not show unwavering support is labeled a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only). He pointed out that some members of Congress who have liberal records are still viewed favorably by Trump supporters, while others with strong conservative principles are attacked and labeled as RINOs.
The Trump campaign and his supporters seized on DeSantis' comment about "listless vessels," drawing comparisons to Hillary Clinton's infamous "basket of deplorables" remark during the 2016 presidential election. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung stated, "DeSantis is now running the same, failed playbook as Hillary Clinton. He called all Trump supporters 'listless vessels' just like Crooked [Hillary] did in 2016 when she called us 'deplorables.' How did that work out? He should stop listening to his establishment handlers and start listening to the American people telling him to go back home."
The DeSantis campaign responded to the backlash, accusing the media of being dishonest and defending the governor's remarks. Press secretary Bryan Griffin argued that Trump and some congressional endorsers are indeed "listless vessels" because they believe they are entitled to voters' support. Griffin emphasized that DeSantis believes trust should be earned and highlighted the governor's vision, plan, and record to defeat President Joe Biden and reverse the decline of the country.
The Trump campaign demanded an immediate apology from DeSantis for his comments, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stating, "To Hillary Clinton, Trump supporters are 'deplorables.' To Ron DeSantis, they are 'listless vessels.' The truth is, Trump supporters are patriots. Ron DeSantis is showing his true colors. The pressure of polling in third place is getting to DeSantis, and now he is lashing out at the very same voters who got him elected governor. DeSantis must immediately apologize for his disgraceful insult."
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also weighed in, criticizing DeSantis as a "robot" politician who blindly follows the commands of Super PACs. Ramaswamy expressed concern about the rise of such politicians, stating that they pose a real danger to the conservative movement.
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, shared her disapproval of DeSantis' comment, stating, "I don't know why anyone running for president would put down half of the electorate and identify them, call them listless vessels because they support the former president. And you're right, he and I don't always see eye to eye, but I call it like I see it. Why Ron DeSantis would do that while his numbers are tanking is really beyond me."
Donald Trump Jr., the son of the former president, also criticized DeSantis, drawing parallels to Hillary Clinton's "deplorables" comment and accusing the governor of harboring hatred towards Trump supporters.
As of now, the DeSantis campaign has declined to comment further on the matter. The Trump campaign continues to demand an apology from the governor, while critics within the Republican Party express their disappointment with DeSantis' remarks.
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