Ron DeSantis Breaks Silence: Admits Trump Lost 2020 Election

Multiple federal and state election officials, as well as Trump’s own attorney general, concluded that there was no credible evidence to suggest that fraud affected the outcome of the election. Additionally, courts, including those with judges appointed by Trump himself, rejected the former president’s allegations.

Just last week, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with four felonies related to his attempts to overturn the election results leading up to the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, by his supporters.

DeSantis’ change in rhetoric appears to be a strategic move as he aims to revitalize his stagnant 2024 White House campaign. Trump, who still enjoys significant popularity among the Republican Party base, is currently the frontrunner in the upcoming GOP presidential primary.

Initially, DeSantis provided an ambiguous response when asked if Trump lost, stating, “Whoever puts their hand on the Bible on Jan. 20 every four years is the winner.” However, when pressed again, he unequivocally acknowledged that Trump lost the election.

While the governor expressed concerns about certain voting methods used in the 2020 election, such as mail voting and “ballot harvesting,” he also indicated that he would embrace these methods despite criticizing them. DeSantis emphasized the importance of not fighting with “one hand tied behind our backs.”

Academic research demonstrates that mail voting increases voter turnout and does not favor any particular political party. Campaigns have historically advocated for mail voting, as it allows them to secure votes early and focus efforts on Election Day to encourage remaining supporters to vote.

DeSantis criticized the notion that the 2020 election was flawless and highlighted the need for Republicans to fight back. He insinuated that the Republican party did not effectively push back against the election’s perceived issues.

Throughout his campaign, DeSantis has presented himself as someone who can effectively implement Trump’s policies while also criticizing certain actions taken by the former president. Last month, he stated that Trump should have strongly condemned the January 6 attack, but he also referred to it as a “protest” that “ended up devolving, you know, in a way that was unfortunate.”

DeSantis has argued that Republicans will not succeed in the 2024 election if they focus on the past election and Trump’s legal troubles, which include federal charges related to mishandling classified documents stored at Mar-a-Lago. He believes that a presidential victory can only be attained by presenting a positive vision for the future and critiquing Joe Biden’s policies and failures rather than dwelling on past events like January 6, 2021.

In conclusion, Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, has openly acknowledged that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. His shift in rhetoric aligns with his efforts to revive his 2024 White House campaign and places him in line with the frontrunner, Trump, who remains popular among the Republican base.