The New York Times, known for its disdain of former President Donald Trump, published a piece suggesting that Trump spends excessive time thinking up nicknames for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 political contender.
Trump disputed the claim on his Truth Social media platform, insisting he is not “focused on coming up with a nickname for the Florida governor,” according to Fox News.
“All of the Fake News is reporting that I spend large amounts of my time coming up with a good ‘nickname’ for Ron DeSanctimonious, who is obviously going to give the presidential ‘thing’ a shot,” Trump posted.
“They are all 100% wrong; I don’t even think about it — A very unimportant subject to me!!!”
Trump, however, has preemptively attacked DeSantis in recent weeks, calling him “Ron DeSanctimonious,” “Meatball Ron,” and “Shutdown Ron.”
Many dismiss the assertion that Trump is fixated on Ron, noting that he is an equal-opportunity slanderer well known for labeling political rivals with unflattering nicknames such as “Crooked Hillary,” “Little Marco” and “Lying Ted,” to name a few.
Hurling insults toward DeSantis began in earnest after Trump announced his candidacy for president in November and DeSantis became a rising star in the party. DeSantis has not announced his candidacy but has not ruled it out.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a Fox News request for comment but has consistently refused to engage Trump, referring to his insults as par for the course and “noise in the background.”
Notably, former South Carolina governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley announced this week that she will run for president in 2024. Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich released a statement on behalf of the super PAC dismissing her viability as a candidate, saying, “Nikki Haley is just another career politician.”
Last week, Trump posted photos and comments on Truth Social suggesting that DeSantis was guilty of “grooming” underage girls during his brief tenure years ago as a high school teacher.
DeSantis and the women depicted in the photo denied Trump’s claims.
During a press conference last Wednesday, DeSantis said, “I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans. I spend my time fighting for the American people and against President Joe Biden.”
