In the spring, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and his team dismissed his declining poll numbers by emphasizing that he was not yet an official presidential candidate. However, even after two months, his struggling presidential campaign continues to struggle gaining momentum. Allies are frustrated by the lack of a clear message as to why Republican voters should choose DeSantis over former President Donald J. Trump. Additionally, early strategic differences have surfaced between DeSantis’ political team and the massive super PAC that will be providing financial support. To combat increasing costs, DeSantis’ campaign has begun laying off some of its excess staff, which previously outnumbered that of the Trump campaign. The campaign is now being rebranded as an “insurgent” run and plans to become a more efficient operation.
One recent blunder that received negative feedback from both Republicans and the public was the campaign’s sharing of a bizarre video on Twitter that attacked Trump’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and depicted DeSantis with laser beams coming out of his eyes. The video was criticized for being homophobic and homoerotic, and it was eventually deleted. However, it has now been revealed that a DeSantis campaign aide created the video internally and then passed it off to an outside supporter to post, making it seem like an independent production.
The DeSantis campaign has declined to comment on specific questions regarding its spending, candidate’s travel, and the controversial video. However, the campaign’s communication director, Andrew Romeo, stated that DeSantis is ready to prove his critics wrong and that their campaign is prepared to execute his vision for America’s comeback. DeSantis’ advisers are engaging with potential donors, but there is concern over their second-place standing in national polls compared to Trump’s overwhelming popularity.
The DeSantis campaign manager, Generra Peck, addressed recent changes in a message to donors, emphasizing the campaign’s underdog approach moving forward. The campaign is focused on gaining media coverage and holding smaller-scale events while outsourcing event planning to reduce costs. The campaign has faced criticism for its spending and failure to meet fundraising targets, catching DeSantis and his wife off guard.
Despite the challenges, DeSantis still has time to reset. His super PAC, Never Back Down, has raised $130 million, and the first primaries are six months away. However, there is a growing sense of urgency as Trump continues to dominate media coverage and outmaneuver DeSantis in defining the race. The campaign is also facing internal tensions, with departments operating in silos and limited coordination. Nevertheless, DeSantis remains the only candidate with double-digit polling numbers against Trump and is treated as a serious threat by the former president.
Overall, DeSantis’ campaign is struggling to gain traction and faces significant challenges. It is now undergoing rebranding and cost-cutting measures in an attempt to become more competitive. The campaign’s success will depend on its ability to effectively communicate its message, engage with mainstream media, and secure much-needed endorsements and funding.
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