In a recent video interview with the Florida Standard, which is a conservative news outlet, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a few veiled shots at people who support Donald Trump.
“If all we are is listless vessels that are just supposed to follow, you know, whatever happens to come down the pike on Truth Social every morning, that’s not going to be a durable movement,” DeSantis said, referring to Trump’s supporters. “And so you could be the most conservative person since sliced bread, but unless you’re kissing his rear end, they will somehow call you a RINO.”
Some supporters of Trump fired back at DeSantis over his comments, comparing them to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 characterization of Trump voters as a “basket of deplorables.”
Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt demaded “Ron DeSantis Must Immediately Apologize” in a Twitter post.
“To Hillary Clinton, Trump supporters are ‘deplorables.’ To Ron DeSantis, they are ‘listless vessels.’ The truth is, Trump supporters are patriots,” she wrote.
“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 same voters who got him elected governor. DeSantis must immediately apologize for his disgraceful insult,” she added.
Trump aide Steven Cheung used the Hillary comparison as well.
“DeSantis goes full-blown Hillary and call MAGA supporters ‘Listless Vessels,'” he tweeted.
But according to DeSantis’ spokesperson Bryan Griffin, the Florida governor’s words were taken out of context by the media.
“The dishonest media refuses to report the facts. Donald Trump and some congressional endorsers are ‘listless vessels’. Why? Because Trump and DC insiders feel he is entitled to your vote,” he said, adding that DeSantis “believes your trust should be earned and has the vision, plan, and record to beat Joe Biden and reverse the decline of our country. That’s why Ron DeSantis will be showing up on Wednesday night to debate, and Donald Trump will not.”
