The on-again, off-again relationship between former President Donald Trump and conservative organization Club for Growth looks to be off again, right before what is expected to be a big announcement that Trump will make another run for the White House in 2024.
The group recently released polling data which purports to show Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ahead of Trump in key early states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
The timing is not an accident, and neither is releasing the data to left-wing outlet Politico, who got the scoop.
Desantis has the momentum right now. Anti-trump republicans have the momentum. But yea, let’s wait to take on trump as he solidifies his base and defines each possible candidate and especially Desantis.
— Mark (@ACCWbbFan) November 15, 2022
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Turning On Trump
According to polling data done by WPAi Intelligence for November 11-13 for the Club for Growth, the numbers for Trump and DeSantis have become interesting. In Iowa, DeSantis leads Trump 48% to 37%. That is almost a complete switch in numbers from August, when Trump was in the lead 52% to 37%.
In another state among the first to hold primaries, New Hampshire, DeSantis is up 52% to 37% over Trump. In August, they were tied at 45%.
In a hypothetical Florida primary, DeSantis comes out on top 56% to 30%. In August DeSantis only held a 7 point lead over Trump at 49% to 42%.
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A hypothetical Georgia primary almost mirrors Florida. DeSantis beats Trump 55% to 35%. In August, there was just a 6 point gap where DeSantis led 47% to 41%.
Because of last week’s dismal showing by the GOP, many Republicans are not only placing blame on Trump and candidates he endorsed, but looking to put their money somewhere other than Trump for 2024.
Hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin, one of the largest GOP donors, speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore said of Trump, “I’d like to think that the Republican Party is ready to move on from somebody who has been for this party a three-time loser.” He added that he was hopeful that Trump would “see the writing on the wall,” and not seek another term.
Others in the GOP are suggesting that Trump might get out while the getting is good. GOP Chair in Washington County, Pennsylvania Dave Ball said, “Sometimes you have overstayed your welcome. You’ve got new people, new faces come, and you have to change with the times sometimes.”
Former Wisconsin GOP Chair Brandon Scholz is also backing away from Trump support saying, “If it’s Trump vs. DeSantis in Wisconsin, DeSantis would win.”
We have too much division in our party.
McCain republicans are now celebrating Kari Lake’s loss, 1/3 of the party is going after Trump, Trump is going after DeSantis.
All while the democrats come together and unite around dead candidates.— Tiffany ✨ (@tiffanyandsadie) November 15, 2022
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Donors Deciding Where To Put Money
Ron DeSantis is riding the wave of a landslide 20 point reelection to the Florida Governor’s mansion. Club for Growth had a hand in that wave, donating $2 million to DeSantis reelection.
Other big money donors are looking beyond Donald Trump for 2024. Griffin said of Trump, “He did a lot of things really well and missed the mark on some important areas. And for a litany of reasons, I think it’s time to move on to the next generation.”
The Political Insider has reported that Fox News Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch has flat out refused to back Trump in 2024, and has suggested he may even back a Democrat candidate. Murdoch is said to have told Trump that the candidates he endorsed coming up short of a red wave essentially “put an end” to Trump’s political career.
A lot of money will float a lot of different ways between now and 2024.
Ron DeSantis finally responds to Trump criticism ahead of the former president’s announcement tonight:
“One of the things I’ve learned in this job is when you’re leading, when you’re getting things done, you take incoming fire, that’s just the nature of it.” pic.twitter.com/bVuoG4Fpht
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) November 15, 2022
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