'Blood in the water for DeSantis’: Trump world embraces Tim Scott’s candidacy

Sen. Tim Scott is running for president. Donald Trump, the Republican he’s taking on, couldn’t be more pleased.

The former president and his aides have long viewed a crowded GOP primary as advantageous to the ex-president’s chances of winning the 2024 presidential primary race, believing a splintered field only hurts his main competitors. Scott’s entrance was judged, in part, by the question: was it good or bad for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ chances of winning? Among the Trump faithful, the answer was, it certainly doesn’t help.

“The more the merrier,” said one Trump adviser of Scott’s announcement. “Tim Scott doesn’t have to write ‘Be Likeable’ at the top of his notepad,” referencing a video from a 2018 DeSantis debate prep where he was advised to be “likeable” to the audience.

Trump aides have been buoyed in recent days by signs that the ‘24 primary field is about to get crowded. Scott has jumped in and DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, an ally turned foe of Trump, are also expected to announce bids soon. There is a belief, internally, that any new entrant will take voters away from the Florida governor (Trump’s closest competitor for the nomination). The challenge they have is to decide which of those candidates to badger or welcome.

“The general thinking is that Scott getting in is another sign that there is blood in the water for DeSantis — it’s no coincidence that multiple people are getting in the ring in the last few days,” another adviser to Trump said.

On Monday, after Scott’s announcement, Trump himself put out a conciliatory statement, but one that also took a swipe at DeSantis. “Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race,” it read. “It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!”

Aides on Trump’s campaign said they are taking their cues from the former president on who and how to attack. For now, they are playing nice with Scott. One of Trump’s advisers said the Senator and former president have always had a “good relationship” and were collaborators while Trump was in the White House. Trump’s post about the senator referenced their work on Opportunity Zones, a bipartisan project aimed at incentivizing tax legislation signed into law by Trump. Scott also played a key role in passing the First Step Act, a sentencing reform bill that the former president once lauded but has increasingly ignored.

NBC News’ Tom Llamas asked Scott about Trump welcoming his announcement in an interview on Monday night.

“Well, I’d say this. I’d appreciate his vote as well,” Scott said. “So the truth of the matter is that I do think that the power of persuasion is necessary for the next president. I happen to look forward to being that next president, and so I will take all the votes I can get from anyone, anywhere, anytime, as I head into this election.”

Those who have worked with Trump recognized the approach he is taking to his current competition. In the 2016 primary, it was much the same: slashing the nearest competitor or anyone who criticized him, while playing nice with the other-rans.

“Trump isn’t going after Tim because he doesn’t consider him a threat,” said Trump’s former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who was seen at Scott’s announcement. “If that changes, Trump’s behavior will change.” Mulvaney said he is not endorsing anyone in the 2024 race, but offering to help any GOP candidate who asks on fiscal and budgetary issues.

It wasn’t just Trump who praised Scott’s announcement. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.),who already endorsed the former president’s campaign but works closely with Scott representing the Palmetto State, did so, too.

“Tim makes South Carolina proud, and he is one of the most talented and hard-working public servants I’ve ever known,” Graham said in a statement. “He will have an optimistic vision for the future of conservatism and America, and I know he will acquit himself well.”

While Scott is polling in single digits, he has already proven to be a formidable fundraiser with over $22 million in the bank, and he’s received endorsements from South Dakota colleagues Sen. Mike Rounds and Sen. John Thune, the minority whip who introduced Scott on Monday as “the real deal.” In addition to Thune, Larry Ellison, the billionaire founder of Oracle who has donated millions to Scott over the years, was also at the rally.

Scott has angled himself as a happy warrior for the conservative cause. However he did appear to take at least one veiled swipe at Trump and Trumpism, asking his audience of supporters if Republicans want to stand for “victimhood or victory? Grievance or greatness? I choose freedom and hope and opportunity.”

So far, Trump’s team has largely ignored any candidate not named DeSantis. Trump and his campaign have gone after DeSantis non-stop, with Truth Social posts and statements comparing Trump and DeSantis poll numbers and highlighting DeSantis’ record on everything from abortion to Covid. And the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. PAC has launched multiple ads taking aim at DeSantis over Social Security and Medicare and his support for a national sales taxes while he represented Florida in Congress. DeSantis’ team has since objected to that ad as “dishonest.”

Recent polling shows Trump with a double-digit lead over DeSantis. The Florida governor is poised to officially enter the race in the coming days and hold a donor event in downtown Miami this week.

Natalie Allison contributed to this report.