Thus far, Ron DeSantis still isn’t taking Trump’s bait:
BREAKING: DeSantis responds to Trump ReTruth accusing him of being a "groomer"
"I'd just say this. I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden […] I don't spend my time trying to smear other Republicans." pic.twitter.com/5mZJfQnoDW
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) February 8, 2023
When responding to questions about Trump’s criticisms, DeSantis always takes roughly the same line: He suggests that he doesn’t want to talk about it, refuses to mention Trump by name, insists that he’s busy working for the people of Florida, and contrasts himself with President Biden. This time, he added in an indirect rejection of Trump’s allegations, saying, “I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans.” By and large, though, the pattern is clear.
At some point, that pattern will have to change. For now, however, it’s working.