Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently made headlines with a significant change in his stance regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. This admission, delivered during an interview on NBC’s Today show, caused a stir given his previous alignment with skepticism surrounding the election results—a position influenced by former President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of fraud.
In a straightforward assertion, DeSantis stated, “Of course, he lost. Joe Biden’s the president.” Although he quickly shifted to criticizing the pandemic-era election procedures, this moment represented a concession that challenges prevailing narratives within a substantial portion of the Republican base regarding the election’s integrity.
DeSantis’ acknowledgment comes as he struggles in the Republican primary race, trailing behind Trump in the polls. Political scientist Aubrey Jewett noted, “This is a huge change. It looks like an act of desperation more than anything else.” Yet, the political landscape remains complex; 69% of Republican voters still believe Biden’s victory was illegitimate. DeSantis risks alienating this base with his newfound candidness.
DeSantis had previously been vocal in supporting efforts to contest the 2020 election results. In December 2020, he joined a chorus of GOP voices advocating for state legislatures to assume control of electors, attempting to overturn Biden’s win. Now, with Trump facing multiple federal indictments related to his post-election maneuvers, DeSantis appears to be recalibrating his political approach.
During the same interview, DeSantis criticized the election’s administration, attributing operational flaws to federal pandemic policies initiated under Trump. He remarked, “Why did we have all those mail votes? Because Trump turned the government over to Fauci,” directly linking Trump’s decisions to the increased mail-in voting that Republicans have since criticized as vulnerable to fraud.
In a further attempt to distance himself from prevailing conspiracy theories, he stated, “The election is what it is. All those theories that were put out did not prove to be true.” This assertion directly refutes unproven claims about voting machines and other supposed mechanisms influencing the outcome in Biden’s favor. DeSantis cautions that the GOP may lose support if it stays focused on grievances surrounding the 2020 election, suggesting, “If the election is a referendum on Jan. 6, 2021, or what document was left by the toilet at Mar-a-Lago, we are going to lose.”
DeSantis’ move to reposition himself as a pragmatic alternative to Trump raises questions about its effectiveness. Political analysts highlight that changing his approach may not be sufficient to alter his standing in the race. Currently, DeSantis trails Trump by over 30 points according to recent polling averages.
This strategic pivot includes a focus on cultural issues, particularly in education. DeSantis has staunchly defended Florida’s contentious public school standards concerning Black history, which have faced widespread criticism. One guideline states that enslaved people “developed skills in spite of slavery, not because of slavery.” This stance has drawn ire from both Democrats and some Black Republican lawmakers, including Senator Tim Scott, who have expressed concerns over the implications of such remarks.
In the interview, DeSantis reiterated, “They developed skills in spite of slavery, not because of slavery,” showcasing his unwavering commitment to this controversial framing.
Additionally, DeSantis revived a provocative assertion regarding abortion, suggesting that Democratic policies equate to “infanticide.” Although NBC’s Burns challenged this claim, DeSantis remained resolute, framing it as part of a broader narrative portraying Democrats as excessively radical on social issues.
DeSantis is in the midst of a delicate political maneuver. With Trump dominating the narrative within the GOP, he is carving out a strategy centered on governance and established conservative principles, rather than antics fueled by grievance and personal allegiance. The effectiveness of this strategy in overcoming his polling shortcomings is still uncertain.
His recent shifts on COVID-era policies and election legitimacy may attract moderate Republicans and independents disillusioned with Trump. However, the timing and nature of these changes could deepen skepticism among the party’s staunch pro-Trump constituents regarding DeSantis’ trustworthiness. Once viewed as Trump’s potential successor, this pivot is pivotal and draws cautious respect, noting that even amid differences, he appears to be “trying to do something.”
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