Trump reportedly said the popular governor has "no personal charisma," and a "dull personality" as rumors swirl the ex-President is mad DeSantis hasn't refused to challenge him for the GOP presidential nomination.
DeSantis, however, has told his inner circle that Trump's "expectation that he bend the knee is asking too much," the New York Times reported.
The governor also reportedly said his biggest regret in office is not having "been much louder" in speaking out against Trump's Coronavirus pandemic response.
The commentary comes after Trump seemed to aim directly at DeSantis in an interview just last week when he called politicians who refuse to disclose their booster vaccination status as "gutless".
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Sources close to the former President - who have lately talked to him about the governor - said Trump has recently become irritated by DeSantis, with Trump starting to express his frustrations about him.
The Florida governor is extremely popular in Republican circles and is widely seen as a leader who can push policies popularized by Trump, but without the same level of drama or baggage.
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"In the context of the 2024 election, he usually gives DeSantis a pop in the nose in the middle of that type of conversation," a source who recently spoke to Trump about DeSantis told Axios.
The President also claims "there's no way" DeSantis would have ever been elected Florida governor without his help.
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The two are among the most popular Republican figures in the country, and with Trump eyeing another presidential run in 2024, many political pundits believe he is upset by DeSantis' interest in running against him and his growing popularity.
Trump is said to be annoyed that DeSantis won't say he will not run against the former President if he did opt to launch another White House bid.
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"I wonder why the guy won't say he won't run against me," Trump has questioned several associates and advisers, according to the Times.
The former President hasn't actually announced his own effort and isn't expected to do so until early next year.
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Those close to the former President say they expect him to launch a second White House run - but also admit Trump may choose to act as a "kingmaker" for the next presidential candidate instead.
The source, who was not named or identified, said they have heard Trump regularly criticize DeSantis on more than one occasion.
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