Former President Donald Trump did not hold back when asked about the possibility of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis running for the White House in 2024.
Trump, who is the only Republican to announce a campaign, said that it would be a “great act of disloyalty” if the governor challenges him.
Trump held campaign events in New Hampshire and South Carolina on Saturday and sat down with the Associated Press for an interview afterward.
The outlet pointed out that there are a growing number of potential challengers, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Trump commented on DeSantis specifically, taking credit for his win in Florida in 2018 by endorsing him.
“If he runs, that’s fine. I’m way up in the polls,” Trump said. “He’s going to have to do what he wants to do, but he may run. I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over.”
Trump also told the outlet that he has not spoken to DeSantis in a long time.
DeSantis has not announced an intention to run in 2024 at this time, but there has been a swelling of support from Republicans who do not want to see another Trump candidacy.
Trump beat DeSantis by 17 points in a Morning Consult poll released earlier this month. In a poll this week, President Trump was up by 35 points against DeSantis, his closest challenger.
