California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has some thoughts about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) political career.
During an interview over the weekend, MSNBC host Jen Psaki asked Newsom if DeSantis should avoid criticizing former President Donald Trump or speaking up for the rule of law.
“He’s going to get rolled by Trump. Trump is just going to roll him. Thumped. I, honestly, if I were offering political advice, I would tell him to pack it up and wait a few years and actually do some of the hard work, which actually includes governing, not just identity and culture war,” Newsom explained.
He suggested DeSantis address some of the “insurance issues” and issues surrounding the cost of housing.
“These are very familiar, I’m very humbled by all of this. I understand the systemic trouble, I’m the first to acknowledge it. I am my own worst critic, I’d be working on some of those basic things, I’d expand Medicaid on the backs of folks out there that need preventative care,” Newsom said.
The California governor argued this is “a serious moment in American history, world history. I hope he would start to focus on some of those issues, that would be my advice. Come back as a more seasoned capable leader with a little humility. Which by the way, he could use a little of.”
Watch Newsom’s comments below:
Newsom just put DeSantis in his place and gave him some obv advice:
— MAGA ??????????? (@MAGAoriginalist) April 9, 2023
"He's going to get rolled by Trump… Honestly, if I were offering political advice, I would tell him to pack it up and wait a few years and actually do some of the hard work…not just identity and culture war." pic.twitter.com/FxkOHp8obz
Trump had a message of his own for DeSantis Monday, suggesting the governor stay put in Florida.
“Ron DeSantis is a young man who is not doing well against me in the polls, to put it mildly,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He added, “I believe that if he decides to run for President, which will only hurt and somewhat divide the Republican Party, he will lose the cherished and massive MAGA vote, and never be able to successfully run for office again.”
The post continues, “If he remains Governor, which is what Florida voters assumed, it would be a whole different story….JUST SAYIN’ – But who knows?”
DeSantis is expected to make his first public appearance in South Carolina this week ahead of a potential 2024 announcement.
State Sen. Josh Kimbrell said, “I’ve told everybody associated with his team, ’You’ve got to get here early and often.'”
He added, “I’ve tried to make it clear to them that, if you want to win, you’ve got to get here early.”
