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Donald Trump was mocked on Tuesday as a pro-Ron DeSantis banner with the words “you lost again” was flown above his home in Florida. Video captured the moment a light aircraft passed over the sprawling $160 million Mar-a-Lago estate – hours before he announced an audacious third run on the White House.
Republican DeSantis, 44, was re-elected governor of Florida by a landslide earlier this month and many view him as Trump’s biggest rival within the party.
The fact that both men have strong connections with the Sunshine State makes a potential 2024 matchup more interesting.
DeSantis stormed to victory in the gubernatorial race last week, clinching a near-20 point (59 to 40) lead over his Democrat rival, Charlie Crist.
And it seems his surging popularity can be found all over after the endorsement appeared in the skies.
The banner read: “You lost again Donald! #DESANTIS2024.”
It followed a poor showing in the midterm elections for the Republican Party after a widely anticipated ‘Red Wave’ failed to sweep Congress.
This did not deter the former President, 76, from announcing his plan to run again – despite critics in his party calling for a new direction.
Speaking to a crowd gathered at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump said: “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.”
READ MORE: Republican megadonors balk at backing Trump
The former president has made a number of attacks against DeSantis, who has been described as “Donald Trump re-incarnate” by Joe Biden.
Following his re-election, Trump called DeSantis an “average” governor and claimed that he owed his political success to him for his support and endorsement.
He also referred to him as “Ron DeSanctimonious”, while urging him to stay away from a race to be the Republican presidential nominee.
Trump told Fox News: “I don’t know if he is running.
“I think if he runs, he could hurt himself very badly. I really believe he could hurt himself badly.
“I don’t think it would be good for the party.”
When asked about Trump’s criticism, DeSantis dismissed the attacks, saying: “One of the things that I’ve learned in this job, when you’re leading, when you are getting things done, yeah, you take incoming fire. That’s just the nature of it.
“I don’t think any governor got attacked more, particularly by corporate media, than me over my four-year term.
“And yet, I think what you learn is, all that’s just noise. And really what matters is, are you leading? Are you getting in front of issues? Are you delivering results for people? And are you standing up for folks?
“And if you do that, then, none of that stuff matters.”
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