Trump will wreak havoc in Florida

Former President Donald J. Trump is set to hold a statewide rally on Saturday night, July 4, in Sarasota, Fla., From where a tragedy has emerged as firefighters, search dogs and emergency crews have been searching for more than a week. For survivors On the slope of a residential building North of Miami Beach.

The planned political rally in the midst of a catastrophe that has terrorized the nation has become the subject of debate among aides to the former president, and the government of Florida’s Ron Desantis, a rising ally of former president’s supporters. According to people familiar with their thinking, both are sources of tension.

Adrian Lukis, governor’s chief of staff, and Michael Glasner, longtime Trump aide to Florida’s overseer of the event, discussed the situation after officials in the governor’s office inspected the site of the condominium collapse at Surfside, Fla. In a brief conversation, Mr. Lugis inquired whether the former president planned to continue the event to give a measure of tragedy, two said.

He was told there were no plans to reconsider.

Mr. Trump’s spokeswoman Liz Harrington said the rally in Sarasota was “three and a half hours away, almost the same distance from Boston to New York, and would not affect any rescue efforts.”

The former president said he had “instructed his team to collect relief aid for Sursite families online and on site at the Sarasota rally” and that he planned to address the tragedy in his comments.

During a visit to the site of the disaster, the President met with President Biden on Thursday. Desantis initially wanted to attend the rally, but did not plan to do so, aides said. “He talked to President Trump and he agreed it was the right decision because the governor’s duty should be on the sidelines,” said his press secretary, Christina Pusha.

Mr. The governor, an early supporter of Trump, is keen to reduce any tensions with the former president, who backed the governor’s campaign in 2018, which could cause him a political headache if he turns against him.

“Governor Desantis has focused on his duties as governor and the tragedy on the Surface, and has never suggested or demanded that events planned in various parts of Florida – from the Stanley Cup final to President Trump’s rally – be canceled,” Ms Pusha said later. Washington Examiner Report Mr. Mr Trump has been asked to delay his rally. Desantis pointed out.

Mr. Mr. Lucis. A recent conversation between Glasner and Mr. On the timing of Trump’s event, Mr. This is not the first time Disantis’ staff have made reservations. Before the condominium collapse, considering the risks of a hurricane season in Florida, Mr. Fall said the fall was the best time for a rally. Desantis’ office had recommended the Trump team, two people familiar with the conversation said.

Mr Trump ignored the suggestion. Exit Facebook and Twitter, Mr. Trump is interested in a store to hear his voice and is trying to get back to the rally stage, aides said.

Mr. Desantis is seen as a top Republican presidential candidate for 2024 and may end up in a political confrontation with the former president, noting that he is considering a third attempt at the White House.

Mr. Those close to Trump said he had the slightest suspicion that he was a friendly country. After hearing rumors in Mar-e-Lago that Mr-Desantis was approaching donors for his own presidential election, he roasted many advisers and friends by asking, “What is Ron doing?” He asked aides about the presidential straw poll of the Western Conservative Summit for 2024 Republican presidential candidates, which is an unscientific online poll, Mr. Desantis showed up beating Mr. Trump.

Mr. Aiming to prove his dominance over both Desantis and former vice president Mike Pence, he said Mr. Floats No. 2 on his ticket if he wants to run Desantis again.