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The DeSantis ‘24 Paradox

Trump’s now all-but-assured entry into the next White House race is already complicating the Florida governor’s ambitions to succeed him. But the agony of waiting his turn might outweigh the risk of challenging Trump head-on.

Ron DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Tina Nguyen
July 20, 2022

Ever since he grudgingly departed the White House on the morning of January 20, two weeks after a chaotic effort to remain in power, the Republican establishment has been awaiting clarity on the issue that will define the future of the party: Will Donald Trump run again? The question is, of course, especially zero-sum for Ron DeSantis, the ludicrously well-funded, culture-warring Florida governor who has been preparing to swipe Trump’s mantle if the former president bows out. Instead, it appears he’ll be confronted with a far more vexing conundrum: whether to challenge Trump, himself.