PANORA, IOWA — On the campaign trail on Friday, Ron DeSantis criticized former President Donald Trump for refusing to sign the Republican National Convention’s (RNC) pledge to support the party’s nominee next year.
“I mean you can’t, on the one hand, say that the country’s going in such a bad direction – which we all believe – and then, on the other hand, say you’re just going to take your ball and go home,” DeSantis told reporters.
TRUMP’S RESERVATIONS
In an interview with Newsmax last Wednesday, Trump said he had reservations about signing the pledge.
“I wouldn’t sign the pledge,” Trump told Eric Bolling. “Why would I sign a pledge if there are people on there that I wouldn’t have? I wouldn’t have certain people as somebody that I endorse.”
But despite Trump coming unglued about the RNC’s pledge, when filing as a presidential candidate in South Carolina, he was required to sign a pledge to accept the eventual 2024 nominee.
“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT YOU”
DeSantis said he’s voted Republican his whole life and although he’s confident that he’ll be the nominee in 2024, he respects the process.
“I’m happy to do that,” DeSantis said, noting that he’s already signed the pledge. “You don’t take your ball and go home.”
“It’s not just about you. It’s about a larger mission that we have to accomplish for Americans,” DeSantis added.
