Some allies of Trump express discontent with possible appointment of DeSantis
The article highlights his criticisms of Trump during the primary and examines his interactions with Susie Wiles.
TroibNews 
The prospect of Ron DeSantis becoming Secretary of Defense is causing some discontent among circles at Mar-a-Lago.
While Trump’s inner circle has emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the president-elect, some associates are expressing reservations about DeSantis being considered for the position. They point to the criticisms DeSantis made about Trump during the primary and his relationship with Susie Wiles, who is set to be Trump’s new chief of staff.
“It’s a little awkward because of all the things DeSantis has said about Trump, especially on foreign policy, during the primary,” said a person close to Trump. They also noted that “there’s a lot of people … who feel a loyalty to Susie. But at the end of the day it’s Trump’s decision to make, but he should know the full breadth of what DeSantis has said in the past about him.”
Throughout the primary, DeSantis questioned Trump’s vitality for leadership, suggesting the former president had “lost the zip” on his fastball. He remarked that he “didn’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star,” challenged Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 election, and stated, “the presidency is not a job for someone pushing 80."
Trump’s inner circle has also not forgotten DeSantis's treatment of Wiles. Once a close ally of DeSantis, Wiles helped advance his national profile before their relationship deteriorated. DeSantis accused Wiles of leaking information and tried to erase her influence from politics, but Trump reinstated her during his 2020 campaign and empowered her role afterward.
“She hates him,” said one person involved in the transition efforts regarding Wiles. Additionally, “Vance probably sees him as a rival.”
The hostility between Trump and DeSantis was a hallmark of the Republican primary, with Trump’s team frequently ridiculing the Florida governor and DeSantis making personal jabs at Trump.
However, as Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth faces challenges in securing Senate confirmation, he seems open to bringing DeSantis back into the fold.
The backlash against DeSantis has led some of Trump’s associates to suggest Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, nominated as national security adviser in the new administration, and Sen. Joni Ernst as alternative Defense Secretary candidates if Hegseth withdraws.
According to a source familiar with the discussions, Trump and DeSantis talked about the possibility of the governorship role at a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County on Tuesday. DeSantis, whose term extends to 2027, has shown interest in a cabinet position and was included on the official transition list for Secretary of Defense.
Interestingly, Eric Trump attended Tuesday’s event alongside Trump and DeSantis, and there is speculation about Lara Trump being a potential candidate to fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat in Florida.
Selecting DeSantis for the Defense role could trigger a significant series of political moves, giving him considerable influence in Florida. He could choose Rubio’s successor and appoint allies to critical roles like Governor and Lt. Governor.
Meanwhile, Hegseth’s future could soon be determined.
Trump is known for favoring fighters, and Hegseth has been advocating for his confirmation opportunity. He penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, asserting he “won’t back down” in his bid for the job. In a conversation with journalist Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, Hegseth shared that Trump reassured him, saying, “I got your back.” Hegseth remarked, “It’s a fight. They’re coming after you. Get after it.”
His mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared on Fox & Friends to defend him after the New York Times revealed an email from her in which she criticized him for being a man who “belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around.” In her appearance, she expressed that her son, seven years post-divorce, is now “a new person,” claiming he has been “redeemed, forgiven, changed.” However, she did not commit to testifying about him during any potential confirmation hearing.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
While Trump’s inner circle has emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the president-elect, some associates are expressing reservations about DeSantis being considered for the position. They point to the criticisms DeSantis made about Trump during the primary and his relationship with Susie Wiles, who is set to be Trump’s new chief of staff.
“It’s a little awkward because of all the things DeSantis has said about Trump, especially on foreign policy, during the primary,” said a person close to Trump. They also noted that “there’s a lot of people … who feel a loyalty to Susie. But at the end of the day it’s Trump’s decision to make, but he should know the full breadth of what DeSantis has said in the past about him.”
Throughout the primary, DeSantis questioned Trump’s vitality for leadership, suggesting the former president had “lost the zip” on his fastball. He remarked that he “didn’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star,” challenged Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 election, and stated, “the presidency is not a job for someone pushing 80."
Trump’s inner circle has also not forgotten DeSantis's treatment of Wiles. Once a close ally of DeSantis, Wiles helped advance his national profile before their relationship deteriorated. DeSantis accused Wiles of leaking information and tried to erase her influence from politics, but Trump reinstated her during his 2020 campaign and empowered her role afterward.
“She hates him,” said one person involved in the transition efforts regarding Wiles. Additionally, “Vance probably sees him as a rival.”
The hostility between Trump and DeSantis was a hallmark of the Republican primary, with Trump’s team frequently ridiculing the Florida governor and DeSantis making personal jabs at Trump.
However, as Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth faces challenges in securing Senate confirmation, he seems open to bringing DeSantis back into the fold.
The backlash against DeSantis has led some of Trump’s associates to suggest Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, nominated as national security adviser in the new administration, and Sen. Joni Ernst as alternative Defense Secretary candidates if Hegseth withdraws.
According to a source familiar with the discussions, Trump and DeSantis talked about the possibility of the governorship role at a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County on Tuesday. DeSantis, whose term extends to 2027, has shown interest in a cabinet position and was included on the official transition list for Secretary of Defense.
Interestingly, Eric Trump attended Tuesday’s event alongside Trump and DeSantis, and there is speculation about Lara Trump being a potential candidate to fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat in Florida.
Selecting DeSantis for the Defense role could trigger a significant series of political moves, giving him considerable influence in Florida. He could choose Rubio’s successor and appoint allies to critical roles like Governor and Lt. Governor.
Meanwhile, Hegseth’s future could soon be determined.
Trump is known for favoring fighters, and Hegseth has been advocating for his confirmation opportunity. He penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, asserting he “won’t back down” in his bid for the job. In a conversation with journalist Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, Hegseth shared that Trump reassured him, saying, “I got your back.” Hegseth remarked, “It’s a fight. They’re coming after you. Get after it.”
His mother, Penelope Hegseth, appeared on Fox & Friends to defend him after the New York Times revealed an email from her in which she criticized him for being a man who “belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around.” In her appearance, she expressed that her son, seven years post-divorce, is now “a new person,” claiming he has been “redeemed, forgiven, changed.” However, she did not commit to testifying about him during any potential confirmation hearing.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
