What’s up next for Ron DeSantis?
Donald Trump’s latest comments on abortion drew the ire of conservative and pro-life leaders across the country over the weekend.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, NBC’s Kristen Welker pressed the former president on the issue of abortion restrictions – asking if he would sign a federal ban that prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“I’m not going to say I would or I wouldn’t,” Trump said. “I mean [DeSantis] is willing to sign a five-week and six-week ban. I think what he did [signing a six-week ban] is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake.”
“We’re going to agree to a number of weeks or months or however you want to define it,” Trump added. “And both sides are going to come together and both sides – both sides, and this is a big statement – both sides will come together. And for the first time in 52 years, you’ll have an issue that we can put behind us.”
“I think they’re all going to like me,” he said. “I think both sides are going to like me.”
Clips of Trump’s comments racked up millions of views just hours after NBC aired the interview. Not all conservatives agreed with the former president.
Live Action President and Founder Lila Rose called Trump’s comments “pathetic and unacceptable.”
“Trump is actively attacking the very pro-life laws made possible by Roe’s overturning,” Rose wrote in a tweet. “Heartbeat Laws have saved thousands of babies. But Trump wants to compromise on babies’ lives so pro-abort Dems ‘like him.’ Trump should not be the GOP nominee.”
Conservative pundit Matt Walsh posted a lengthy Twitter thread criticizing both the moral and strategic implications behind Trump’s response.
“There is nothing terrible about stopping the satanic abortion industry from mass murdering human children,” Walsh wrote.
On Tuesday, Ron DeSantis will join Stuart Varney on Fox Business at the 9 am ET hour. On Wednesday, DeSantis will present his energy policy in Midland, Texas at 10 am CT.
Here is everything you need to know about what is happening in DeSantis World today.
Is America’s Military Funding “Abortion Tourism?”
“Ron DeSantis vowed to stop the military’s travel reimbursement for abortion services on day one when he becomes president.”
Read more here from Josh Miller of The Florida Standard
Pro-Life Leaders, Conservative Pundits Decry Trump’s Latest Abortion Comments
“In an attempt to attack Governor Ron DeSantis, the former president called Florida’s six-week abortion ban ‘a terrible thing.’”
Read more here from Zac Howard of The Florida Standard
DeSantis leans into his military experience to set himself apart in crowded 2024 GOP field
“Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist and longtime supporter of Gov. Ron DeSantis, approached the Florida Republican in July with a frank suggestion: Talk more about yourself. More specifically, talk more about your military service.”
Read more here from Jessica Dean and Steve Contorno of CNN
Florida GOP Drops Presidential Loyalty Pledge
“At an event that was supposed to be a celebration of the party’s recent success, a vote over the loyalty pledge exposed a deep division over the state’s two presidential candidates.”
Read more here from Josh Miller of The Florida Standard
Ron DeSantis Vows Executive Order to Aid Religious Schools on ‘Day One’
“Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to provide religious schools the same funding available to other private schools through an executive order on “day one” if he becomes president in 2025.”
Read more here from Hadriana Lowenkron of Bloomberg
DeSantis criticizes Trump for not fulfilling promise to hold Hillary Clinton accountable
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized former President Donald Trump for failing to fulfill his promise to investigate Hillary Clinton, indicating that he may fail to fulfill a similar promise he recently made for the 2024 election.”
Read more here from Asher Notheis of The Washington Examiner
Trump says he supports shutdown if conservatives don’t get ‘appropriate deal’
“Former President Trump said he would back a government shutdown if House conservatives aren’t able to secure an ‘appropriate deal’ to slash spending.”
Read more here from Brett Samuels of The Hill
DeSantis: A Mensch
“Ron DeSantis’ public stances for Israel and the Jewish people, and against antisemitism, should rightly earn him public acclaim, writes Rabbi Moshe B. Parnes.”
