Rove criticizes Trump, praises DeSantis.

Karl Rove Takes Aim at Trump’s Petty Comments

Former George W. Bush aide Karl Rove responded to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) comments that the GOP must reject a “culture of losing” and seemed to take aim at former President Donald Trump.

In a new ad Friday, Trump attacked DeSantis and said he needs a “personality transplant.” Rove responded by calling Trump “petty, small, and unimportant.” He noted that Trump would be better off talking about his policies for the party rather than running down his opponents.

The Top Issues Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidates are Campaigning On

DeSantis, expected to announce his 2024 presidential campaign soon, hosted an event in Iowa in the Sioux Center. He highlighted Republicans’ recent string of losses and said the GOP was expected “to have this big red wave, and other than Florida and Iowa, I didn’t see a red wave across this country.”

Trump once again pushed back on DeSantis’s personality, saying the governor “is not a winner,” telling the Messenger on Monday he is beating him in some polls by 40 points.

“He’s got no personality. And I don’t think he’s got a lot of political skill,” Trump said.

Rove highlighted some of DeSantis’s recent triumphs, saying he had “a great fundraiser in the eastern part of the state.” He also mentioned “a surprise event where he stops in Des Moines, near where Donald Trump was supposed to have a rally.”

The two GOP favorites were expected to hold rallies in Iowa this weekend — DeSantis held back-to-back events in Sioux Center and Cedar Rapids, but Trump’s Des Moines rally was canceled due to a tornado watch.

“Before he comes into [Iowa], the Republican Senate leader and the House Republican majority leader both endorse him with 30 of their colleagues,” Rove said about DeSantis securing endorsements of more than three dozen Iowa state legislators on Saturday.

Why DeSantis May Be the Big Beneficiary of the 2024 Presidential Race

The 2024 presidential race has seen growing concerns from voters about the age of the two parties’ front-runners, making DeSantis, 45, an outlier in potential nominees.

“We’re at a generation shift in this country, and Ron DeSantis may be the big beneficiary of all that,” Rove said.

Key Takeaways:

• Karl Rove called out Trump for his petty comments about DeSantis
• DeSantis highlighted the GOP’s recent string of losses and the need to reject a “culture of losing”
• Trump criticized DeSantis’s personality and political skill
• Rove highlighted DeSantis’s recent triumphs and endorsements from Iowa state legislators
• DeSantis may be the big beneficiary of the 2024 presidential race due to concerns about the age of front-runners