Donald Trump Slams Former Endorsee Ron DeSantis at Iowa Rally, Comparing Him to Mitt Romney

Former President Donald Trump took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during a rally in Iowa Monday, calling him “Ron DeSanctus” and saying he probably shouldn’t have endorsed DeSantis in his bid for the governor’s mansion.

Trump, who was en route to Iowa for a rally, said DeSantis was “probably” his biggest challenger for the GOP presidential nomination, but added that “we’re not going to have much of a challenge.”

DeSantis, who made his first visit to the state as a prospective presidential candidate Friday, often voted as a member of Congress to restructure or slash subsidies for agricultural products, including ethanol. Trump said he will “protect Iowa ethanol from anyone who wishes to destroy it.”

The former president also took a jab at DeSantis, saying he reminded him of 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, who lost the presidential race and is now a senator from Utah. Trump used nicknames — “DeSanctis” and “DeSanctimonious” — to describe DeSantis, saying he “fought against it at every turn, and he’s going to do that again.”

Trump’s visit to Iowa Monday marked the first state in the Republican primary lineup next year. The former president said he last spoke to DeSantis probably a “couple of days ago,” but did not elaborate on the conversation.