If the former president decides to pursue reelection, would anyone challenge him for the Republican nomination? Will he be abandoned by his longtime ally Rupert Murdoch, the media magnate known for shaping public discourse?
The most plausible challenger, and perhaps the only one willing to take that risk, is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Some observers describe him as “Trump with a brain.”
A descendant of Italian immigrants, 43-year-old DeSantis, as his surname implies, operates from the conservative, even reactionary, wing of a party where Trump has aligned with its populist, far-right flank.
Rich Lowry, editor-in-chief of the right-leaning National Review, has called him “the leader of a new party shaped by Trump,” yet Trump’s perceived strength of character remains a point of reference for supporters and detractors alike.
The head of the Madrid branch of the Partido Popular, while maintaining distance, cites Spain as a model to follow, whereas DeSantis portrays the United States as a state-led example of governance, proclaiming, “We are the freest state in America.”
Unlike many governors, DeSantis became widely popular across the country during the coronavirus era by resisting federal recommendations on mask usage in public spaces.
He publicly clashed with critics, drawing cheers from conservative media and the backing of then-President Trump, while Democratic rivals derided him and nicknamed him “DeathSantis,” a blend of his surname and a grim moniker used by opponents.
Anthony Fauci, former director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was a frequent target of their attacks. The retort from DeSantis supporters was often pointed, with remarks directed toward Fauci at rallies and events in Florida.
DeSantis gained further prominence with his stance on LGBTQ topics. Florida enacted laws restricting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools, and classroom debates on these issues became more limited.
He also challenged the Disney company, a major employer in the state, threatening to revoke certain privileges granted to it as a result of its advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
Despite his immigrant roots—great-great-grandmother arrived in the United States in 1917 and faced barriers due to illiteracy—DeSantis today holds a stance on immigration that some compare with Viktor Orbán’s approach in Hungary. Comparisons to other world leaders have circulated as DeSantis defines his political path.
Like Trump, DeSantis dislikes media scrutiny and does not hesitate to confront journalists when he feels it is warranted, a pattern that has shaped public perception on both sides of the aisle.
In any case, Rupert Murdoch’s influential media empire, including Fox News, appears to have pulled back from endorsing Trump, signaling a strain in what had been a close media-political relationship. Murdoch’s outlets have at times criticized the former president and questioned his focus on past election results rather than future plans.
Murdoch has long influenced political outcomes in regions where his outlets operate, supporting conservative governments in places like the United Kingdom and Australia, and sometimes clashing with figures across the political spectrum. His approach has sparked discussion about how media power can shape leadership decisions and public opinion.
When Murdoch’s papers weighed in during Trump’s later years, some editorials offered pointed criticisms while television networks varied in their coverage of public addresses and policy events from that era. The relationship between media executives and political leaders remains a subject of ongoing debate, and observers wonder how future endorsements or criticisms might influence a potential DeSantis bid. Could the pattern repeat if DeSantis chooses to run, and would Donald Trump find himself in a similar situation?