Trump Drops Unmistakable Warning to DeSantis Staff

As the 2024 election continues to develop, bringing with it whatever drama it may, there are but a few important questions left to ask ourselves.

Perhaps the most omnipresent concern we can identify thus far is whether or not Donald Trump will be the nominee for the Republican Party, or if some usurper will rise from the shadows to overtake him.  The most likely challenger has long been Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has yet to announce his inevitable and impending candidacy.

Trump has been aware of this possibility for a while, and has already engaged with DeSantis on a number of contentious points.  His latest broadside against him, however, is still rather remarkable. 

Former President Donald Trump‘s 2024 campaign has decided that anyone who works for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, including on a potential presidential bid, will be ineligible to join the Trump campaign or another Trump White House.

Trump aide Justin Caporale confirmed the decision, which is a warning shot to political operatives mulling their next moves. The development, first reported by RealClearPolitics, comes as Trump holds onto a substantial polling lead and the DeSantis operation begins to materialize.

Caporale worked for DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign and briefly in the governor’s administration as director of external affairs. He’s now, however, back in Trump world. Other members of Trump’s inner orbit have also previously worked for DeSantis, including top aide Susie Wiles.

The  decision could be immediately impactful.

While DeSantis hasn’t announced a presidential bid, he has repeatedly hinted at one. His allies have said he doesn’t plan to make an announcement about a possible candidacy until at least June, after Florida’s legislative session is over. DeSantis remains well below Trump in polls measuring the prospective GOP primary field.

The warning from Trump’s camp about future hiring could affect people like Matt Wolking, a former Trump campaign staffer who announced Monday afternoon that he is joining a DeSantis-aligned super PAC.

“Trump was the president we needed 8 years ago, but to make America great again, our movement needs a disciplined leader who wins instead of loses, never backs down, fights smart, and puts the mission before himself. On each count, Governor Ron DeSantis is the strongest choice,” Wolking tweeted, adding that DeSantis is “bold, effective, and knows how to finish the job, so with him as president we will finally be able to win so much that we’ll be tired of all the winning.”

Trump has largely led DeSantis is recent polling despite rumors of this impending indictment in Manhattan.