It begins badly. Ron DeSantis, tipped as a possible candidate for the Republican camp in the US presidential election, officially launched his campaign on Wednesday, May 24. The Governor of Florida has chosen his rival Donald Trump's favorite communication channel to launch hostilities: Twitter. But not everything went as planned. Unfortunately for him, his big announcement was plagued by major technical problems. DeSantis' candidacy was highly anticipated by Republicans seeking an alternative to the former US president, whose ideas he shares, but not his excesses.
In a video posted on Twitter, the 40-year-old, perceived as the New York billionaire's main Republican challenger, promised to "lead America's great comeback". An expression that evokes the flagship slogan of Donald Trump's victorious campaign in 2016: "Make America Great Again".
“Thank you for your patience”, “your microphone is not open”… the boss of Twitter has tried somehow to manage this chaotic situation. The governor has tried to unfold his vision for the country, always taking Florida as an example, which he has transformed into a laboratory of conservative ideas.
"I pledge to be a forceful leader who will tackle important issues," he pledged, emphasizing migration issues in particular. But his message seemed parasitized by the series of bugs around this launch, which also made the cabbage of Donald Trump. “Technical issues. Awkward silences. A total failure,” a spokesperson for the former president told AFP.
The winner of the Republican primaries will face the candidate chosen by the Democratic Party in November 2024 – most likely Joe Biden. The octogenarian leader was also quick to mock Ron DeSantis' campaign launch. "This link works," the president-candidate quipped in a Twitter post redirecting to his fundraising campaign.
Former naval officer, Ron DeSantis had gained popularity by multiplying the ultraconservative outbursts on education or immigration in the name of a battle against the supposed "well-thinking". But his path to the White House is strewn with pitfalls.
Many conservatives pinned their hopes on his candidacy after his triumphant re-election as head of Florida in November 2022 – a time when Donald Trump seemed to be losing steam. But the governor is now seriously behind the former president, according to numerous opinion polls.
The main handicap of the Florida conservative, father of three children: a lack of charisma, pointed out from all sides. And on which the Trump camp does not hesitate to attack it.
The invectives between the two men began even before the governor of Florida launched himself, with acid statements and meetings interposed. Surrounded by judicial investigations, Donald Trump threw himself headlong into his third race for the White House, mobilizing his base, which has largely remained loyal to him.
In this face-to-face Ron DeSantis will still be able to rely on an imposing war chest. His team also announced that he had raised a million dollars during the first hour of his campaign. Elected to head Florida in 2018, with the support of… Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis claims to embody the new guard.
The other declared Republican candidates – Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Asa Hutchinson – rarely exceed 5% of voting intentions for the moment.
