Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fired back at his California counterpart, Gavin Newsom, Thursday after the Democrat challenged the 2024 Republican contender to a one-on-one debate.
Newsom, a fervent critic of DeSantis, told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday that he was “all in” on a two-hour debate with Hannity moderating, saying: “Make it three [hours]. I would do it [on] one day’s notice with no notes. I look forward to that.”
DeSantis sidestepped questions about Newsom’s offer during a budget-signing ceremony in Fort Pierce, instead ribbing the California governor for not stepping up to challenge President Biden for the White House.
“[Newsom] has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida, I think it’s just bizarre that he does that,” DeSantis said.
“What I would tell him is, ‘You know what? Stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat into the ring and challenge Joe?’” the Florida governor continued.
“Are you going to get in and do it, or are you going to sit on the sidelines and chirp?” DeSantis continued. “So why don’t you throw your hat into the ring, and then we’ll go ahead and talk about what’s happening.”
The 44-year-old also ribbed Newsom over the “huge problems” in and “massive exodus” from California.
Newsom has long cultivated presidential buzz for his high-profile feuds with heavyweight Republicans like DeSantis. In March, he funneled $10 million into a “Campaign for Democracy” political organization targeting red states where he said “freedom is most under attack.”
Instead of mounting a challenge to Biden, the 55-year-old Newsom opted to endorse him back in April. He was also named as a member of Biden’s campaign advisory board the following month.
Thus far, Biden has no challenge from a sitting Democratic elected official. His highest-profile declared foes include spiritual guru and self-help author Marianne Williamson and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Newsom sidestepped questions about Biden’s age and vitality during his interview with Hannity.
“I see where you’re going with that. No — I’m not answering,” Newsom said when asked if he had been inundated with requests to enter the race.
The California governor also insisted Biden was fit enough for another four-year term, telling Hannity: “I have conversations with him all the time. Yes, I do [believe he’s sharp enough]. I’m dead serious about that.”
DeSantis and Newsom previously went after each other when the Florida Division of Emergency Management revealed last week it flew roughly a dozen migrants from the border region in Texas to Sacramento.
Both DeSantis and Newsom have also ventured to each other’s home turf in recent months to take their shots.
DeSantis not so subtly roasted Newsom during a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library back in March.
“The American people … have voted with their feet. And if you look over the last four years, we’ve witnessed a great American exodus from states governed by leftist politicians imposing leftist ideology and delivering poor results,” DeSantis said at the time.
The following month, Newsom swung through the Sunshine State and stopped by the New College of Florida, where he huddled with students aghast at DeSantis’ overhaul of the institution’s board to root out wokeness.
DeSantis is polling in second place among the 2024 GOP field, trailing front-runner Donald Trump 52.0% to 21.6%, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average.
Of his rival’s future, Newsom predicted to Hannity on Monday that “Trump is going to clean his clock.”
