Report: DeSantis-Supporting Super PAC Has Raised $30M

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Facts

  • On Sunday, an anonymous official from Never Back Down, a 'super PAC' [Political Action Committee] that will likely serve as a source of support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' potential bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said the PAC has raised $30M since March 9.1
  • DeSantis has not officially announced his candidacy.2
  • Never Back Down was formed last month by former senior Trump official Ken Cuccinelli, and recently hired Matt Wolking, the head of Trump’s rapid response team during the 2020 campaign. Jeff Roe, who was campaign manager for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during the 2016 presidential race, has also been hired.2
  • The super PAC has raised more than half its money online from outside Florida, and none of it was transferred from another fundraising entity.3
  • DeSantis is considered by the polls to be former Pres. Trump's stiffest competitor. The Florida governor has been on a book tour that already took him through Iowa, an important early-voting state, and should soon take him to New Hampshire.4
  • Meanwhile, Trump was indicted last week by a Manhattan grand jury. His campaign has raised more than $4M since the indictment was announced.4

Sources: 1New York Times, 2The hill, 3CNBC and 4NBC.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by FOX News. Trump had his chance as president for four years, and now it’s DeSantis’ turn to make America great again — but this time in a more stable, adept manner. DeSantis is by far the best chief executive the US has seen at any level of government in decades. He’s proven he can defeat the radical Left on everything from coronavirus restrictions to corporate activism. When he gets into the race, there will be a groundswell of support already waiting for him. This will be an exciting GOP primary.
  • Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by New York Post. DeSantis and the other would-be challengers to Trump should just forget about it. Now that the Democratic witch hunt has led to a Trump indictment in New York, the former president is more popular than ever and his lead in the polls is growing. Trump is a sure bet to be the nominee, and the DeSantis hype is fading.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by New York Times. As dangerous as Trump is, DeSantis has shown himself to have extremely concerning authoritarian impulses. His Orbanist-style of Florida policies doesn't make him a Republican centrist — he is a competent and dangerous extremist. If elected, he could do great damage to American democracy.