- Trump lashed out at DeSantis for signing a six-week abortion ban
- He also joked about the claim that DeSantis was wearing covert elevators
- He said Haley would get “creamed” after Christie's hot mic moment
Donald Trump used the freewheeling format of a televised town hall meeting to attack his remaining primary opponents, ridiculing Ron DeSantis and predicting the impending end of his campaign.
Trump even took a look at DeSantis' shoes and jumped in in the middle of a lengthy and nuanced response about abortion policy, in which he reiterated his support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother.
“If you look at it, Ron DeSantis, I don't know what he really believes, because with a politician you never know, and to me he's just another politician,” Trump said.
“But his poll numbers have dropped so low that he will soon be out of the race.” He will be out very soon. You know, I watched him last night, he gets up with his shoes on – his fancy shoes,” said Trump.
The phrase drew laughter from the crowd, which included many people who described themselves as Trump supporters. It was a reference to claims that DeSantis was wearing hidden risers in his boots.
Former President Donald Trump predicted that his rival Ron DeSantis would drop out of the race “very soon” in comments on Fox News on Wednesday night
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' cowboy boots are seen as he made a spin room appearance to be interviewed on CNN after Wednesday night's Republican debate in Des Moines
A close-up of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' cowboy boots, which he wore at Wednesday night's GOP debate and which Trump derided as “fancy shoes.”
Trump also drew laughs when he called DeSantis “Ron Desanctimonious” while responding to a question about whether he would ever allow a COVID shutdown as president.
The first lockdowns took place under his watch, but Trump noted that governors in their states were pushing emergency health measures.
Trump also appeared to say that DeSantis' problems were related to his signing of a law in Florida in April banning abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy.
“He's going to be out of the race internally – you know, a lot of people say before New Hampshire.” I don't know if that was the reason. I hope that wasn't the reason. I hope there are other reasons. I could see many other reasons why he shouldn't do that. But he is doing very, very badly. It happened to coincide with that because a lot of people say when you talk about week five or six, a lot of women don't know if they're five or six weeks pregnant.
Trump predicted that DeSantis, who is second to him in Iowa, would drop out before New Hampshire, saying “a lot of people” are saying that
Trump agreed that Nikki Haley would be “smoked.”
Chris Christie was caught on a hot mic, predicting a Haley bust
Trump angered Ron DeSantis by calling him “fancy shoes.”
Trump found a way to insult both Chris Christie, who announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign, and Nikki Haley after Christie gave him a “hot mic” moment.
Christie was heard saying Haley would get “smoked,” an idea Trump supported.
“And he happened to say that she doesn't have what it takes.” She will be creamed in the – in the election. And – I mean, I know her very well and I happen to think that Chris Christie is right. “That’s one of the few things he was actually right about,” Trump said.
Trump's rivals were unable to defend themselves: they debated nearby.
When Trump claimed that DeSantis had “very forcefully shut down” his state in 2020, it was left to MacCallum to interject: “Ron DeSantis would definitely contradict your description of how he handled that.”
Trump claims 'nice shoes' Ron DeSantis 'very soon' EXIT: Ex-president turns knife on Republican rivals, says Christie's claim that Haley is being 'smoked' is one of the few things that he did right