/2 In his lockdown announcement, Trump called on governors of high transmission states to CLOSE SCHOOLS.
That’s right…Trump called for the closing of schools.
This gave cover to every Dem gov to shutter schools.
/3 Trump advocated & recommended nearly every Dem lockdown position:
“The guidelines also suggest avoiding social gatherings of more than 10 people, avoiding 'discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits,' and not to visit nursing homes.”
That’s right…nursing homes.
/4 Trump then inexplicably extended the original lockdown an entire MONTH to April 30, 2020.
“The better you do, the faster those whole nightmare will end.”
More than 3 million Americans had lost their jobs.
/11 In perhaps the most damning evidence against the Posobiec crowd claims that RDS was a lockdown proponent, DeSantis met with Trump in late-April 2020 to discuss reopen plans.
He was following Trump’s lead. Trump crowd should like that. It gets better.
/13 NBC News even notes that Trump and DeSantis had a very close relationship throughout the shutdown.
It also notes that DeSantis was concerned about Northeasterners bringing Covid south. This partially explains his initial lockdown and phased reopening. Trump-approved.
/14 The Trump admin did great harm to Florida’s economy by issuing a “Nail Sail” order that halted all cruise activity in March 2020 and was still in place in late-2020.
Trump could have stopped this but didn’t. DeSantis & his state suffered as result.
/16 Turning point for DeSantis appears to have been when he brought in @FLSurgeonGen
Ladapo to replace Scott Rivkees who had apparently been more hawkish on lockdowns than Ladapo.
/18 In June 2020 Trump allowed Pence, Fauci, and Birx to hold a press conference during which Fauci basically undermined every positive Trump reopening point.
Trump gave Fauci A LOT of leash. Never forget that.
🧵“Explosive developments tonight as Laura Loomer joins us to discuss her harrowing encounter with a mall cop.”
“Laura, why were you on private property waving Trump signs at a book signing?”
“Sean, aren’t parking lots public property?”
“No, Laura, they are private property.”
/2 “But Sean, the Founders meant for parking lots to be protected spaces for 1A freedom of speech. King DeSantis is going against their will.”
“Laura, have you ever read the Constitution?”
“Yeah, I look at it while I’m getting my Botox injections.”
/3 “But Laura, didn’t you see that the security guard was a Trump supporter?”
“Sean, he was probably just wearing that Trump band as a coverup. He smelled establishment to me. You can’t even trust other Trump supporters unless verified.”
🧵Keep in mind that @RonDeSantisFL & his team evidently see something in their private polling & analysis of 2024 that gives them the confidence to launch a 2024 run.
Unlike Haley, RDS doesn’t need the publicity or a cabinet gig. Taking on Trump is a tall order.
/2 DeSantis World likely has significant assurances of funding and support from influential conservative leaders and organizations or they would not be launching this 2024 bid.
They’ve seen the polls that 50%+ of Rs want non-Trump option.
/3 The 2028 race (if Trump or Biden is Pres) will likely be the largest field you’ve seen in political history.
Every big name heavyweight will be in it. Don Jr will likely run.
DeSantis gets a head start by running in 2024 w/small field & max attention. Low risk.
Republicans knew Dems and the Deep State were cooking up some manufactured crisis to oust him. Covid + BLM turned out to be it.
Instead of sticking to his guns and taking the Sweden approach, Trump caved and opened the lockdown doors.
/2 Trump had to have known Covid was being used to engineer his defeat. If he didn’t know, then he was naive beyond comprehension.
Trump supposedly knows the Deep State like the back of his hand, but they ate his lunch when it mattered most.
This gets to Trump’s fatal flaw.
/3 Trump cares too much about how he is publicly perceived + what his enemies think of him.
Trump got blamed for all Covid deaths as we knew he would. Staying open and using Fed power to keep states open couldn’t have turned out any worse for him than the action he did take.
“He’s been a great Governor, & I’m happy to have endorsed him. He’s been great for the state of Florida, and I think he should finish out his term or join forces with me so we can beat Joe Biden and get back to work w/a united party.”
/2 Trump would actually look MORE magnanimous if he specifically said DeSantis does not owe him anything for his original endorsement.
Trying to claim credit for Ron’s entire gubernatorial success actually looks worse on Trump.
People would think, “Man, what a nice guy.”
/3 Trump tried this same thing with @GlennYoungkin where he endorsed him and then immediately tried to hog all the credit once Youngkin won, even on the very night of Youngkin’s win.
More candidates will eschew the Trump endorsement as it is clear there are strings attached.
🧵 Many people are still having a hard time comprehending the coming Trump / DeSantis showdown.
RDS is uniquely positioned to take down Trump. He is a tough, ruthless animal. His staff led by Pushaw is savage.
Trump has never been confronted on his 2020 record from the right.
/2 DeSantis is going to hammer Trump on lockdowns. He will make note that everyone trusted Trump & went along to be supportive. He will hammer the Fauci/CDC topic.
“Where is the wall you promised, Mr. Trump? Has Mexico paid for it?”
Pushaw will torment Trump on socials all day.
/3 DeSantis will be stocked with a huge war chest. He will convert his current staff over to campaign workers. It’s why Pushaw was switched.
He will have many elected Republicans stepping up to endorse. MANY.
He will take the fight to Trump head-on with no holds barred.