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Ron DeSantis' decision to announce his 2024 White House bid in a conversation with Elon Musk on Twitter on Wednesday will make a typically blunt statement about his campaign, the unruly populism of the modern Republican Party and an accelerating conservative media revolution. His choice of venue on Twitter Spaces exemplifies the Trump-era GOP’s transformation into a party that rewards gesture politics and whose activists respond to the unmoderated social media jungle while disdaining traditional standards of conduct and governance. He could further damage an already questionable reputation among more moderate voters he’d need in a general election by appearing on an increasingly polarising platform. Trump’s virtual court appearance in a case arising out of a hush money payment to a former adult film star in which he has already pleaded not guilty raises the prospect that Trump could use the trial as a stage to drive home his claim that he’s a victim of political persecution. However, it also creates a risk for Trump that he could be criminally convicted while still fighting for the GOP nomination. The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, targets a dramatic moment to restore momentum to GOP primary aspirations.
He is taking a swipe at Trump, who was banned from tweeting by the company’s previous ownership and has so far preferred his platform, Truth Social, even after Musk restored his account. DeSantis is taking an ostentatious jab at traditional media, which is reviled by many conservatives, by showing he is ready to bypass regular conventions of presidential campaigns. His launch will also sharply contrast with Trump’s campaign opening speech at Mar-a-Lago in November, which lacked any sense of political dynamism. DeSantis is already running to the right of Trump by targeting “woke” measures on diversity, equity and inclusion and staking out conservative positions on social issues. He is also seeking to steal Trump’s reputation as the great disruptor.
The DeSantis announcement will help enshrine an emerging power shift in conservative media. His choice of Twitter recognises the importance of the social network to right-wing voters under Musk. It may quicken the change away from Fox News as the most dynamic platform for the new champions of the conservative movement. DeSantis is driving home his argument that social media networks have sought to oppress the speech of conservatives, a popular viewpoint on the right. He is unlikely to turn his back on Fox, which has offered him great air time – a possible sign the Murdoch family is beginning to tire of the ex-president. The DeSantis launch strategy will not come without risks.
The natural environment of Twitter and his association with Musk threaten to undermine the case that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been making to Republican voters – that he can offer a more stable and disciplined leadership style than that shown by Donald Trump in his tempestuous White House term. A pro-Trump super PAC mocked DeSantis ahead of his online announcement, calling it “one of the most out-of-touch campaign launches in modern history.” People familiar with the DeSantis campaign blueprint indicated the Florida governor would soon launch a relentless blitz of campaign appearances in crucial swing states, intended to contrast his energy with his older rivals, Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump’s team and his allies plan an aggressive operation to drown out the DeSantis launch on Wednesday. MAGA Inc. is already slamming the Florida governor for his early support of the Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic as it seeks to undermine his credibility among conservatives who baulked at government health advice.
This article is initially published by cnn.com under CNN Politics
