WACO, TEXAS — On Saturday, in Trump’s first formal rally of his 2024 campaign, the former president emphasized his unfair treatment by the Manhattan district attorney. He also brought his typical political attacks to a crowd of cheering supporters.
But when Trump began to mock Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely viewed as Trump’s strongest rival for the Republican nomination, the crowd became noticeably silent.
“Man, he’s dropping like a rock,” Trump said of DeSantis. “They keep saying ‘DeSanctus’ could do well with farmers. I don’t think so. Based on polls, he’s not doing well with anything.”
Trump went further by re-enacting a dramatic scene where he said DeSantis pleaded for his endorsement, imitating him in a crying voice. But unlike the attacks on political rivals Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton, the crowd did not laugh or cheer at his tirade.
After the dramatic mocking fell flat, Trump changed the subject by telling the crowd he was ahead of every Republican in the polls for the 2024 presidential election.
Watch Trump’s remarks on Fox News.
