President Donald Trump took a swipe at Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Twitter Saturday.
The president, who is headed to Nevada after a Friday night rally in Arizona, sent out a tweet throwing his support behind Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis won the GOP nomination in Florida’s race for governor back in August after earning Trump’s endorsement.
“Ron DeSantis is working hard. A great Congressman and top student at Harvard & Yale, Ron will be a record setting governor for Florida,” the president tweeted. “Rick Scott gave him tremendous foundations to further build on.”
Ron @RonDeSantisFL DeSantis is working hard. A great Congressman and top student at Harvard & Yale, Ron will be a record setting governor for Florida. Rick Scott gave him tremendous foundations to further build on. His opponent runs one of the worst & most corrupt cities in USA!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2018
Without calling Gillum out by name, Trump tweeted that DeSantis’ opponent “runs one of the worst & most corrupt cities in USA!” Gillum is currently the mayor of Tallahassee.
In a second tweet, the president said current Gov. Rick Scott “is known as easily one of the best Governors in the USA.” He also calls Florida “the envy of the World” due to it “setting records in almost every category of success.”
“Ron DeSantis will build on this success,” Trump wrote. “His incompetent opponent will destroy Florida – next Venezuela!”
Rick Scott is known as easily one of the best Governors in the USA. Florida is setting records in almost every category of success. Amazing achievement-the envy of the World. Ron DeSantis will build on this success. His incompetent opponent will destroy Florida – next Venezuela!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2018
The series of tweets caught Gillum’s attention quickly. About a half an hour after the first tweet from the president was sent, Gillum responded.
“When you lie about me from the most powerful office in the world and still don’t have the courage to @ me…” he tweeted.
When you lie about me from the most powerful office in the world and still don’t have the courage to @ me… https://t.co/ESxXG5j6eH— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 20, 2018
DeSantis also took note of the president’s tweets and thanked him for his words.
“What an honor to have your support! Florida is a great state,” he wrote. “We will do great things together— see you soon! #MAGA #Florida.”
👍🏼👍🏼 Thank you, Mr. President. What an honor to have your support! Florida is a great state. We will do great things together— see you soon! #MAGA #Florida @ScottforFlorida https://t.co/a3ZmLaX4lE— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) October 20, 2018
This isn’t the first time Gillum and Trump have taken aim at each other on Twitter. The day after Florida’s primary, the president tweeted about DeSantis’ win and called Gillum “his biggest dream.”
Not only did Congressman Ron DeSantis easily win the Republican Primary, but his opponent in November is his biggest dream….a failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city. This is not what Florida wants or needs!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2018
“A failed Socialist Mayor named Andrew Gillum who has allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city,” he said. “This is not what Florida wants or needs!”
Gillum responded saying, “What our state and country needs is decency, hope, and leadership…Also, @ me next time, @realDonaldTrump.”
What our state and country needs is decency, hope, and leadership. If you agree, join us at https://t.co/fm0ODFFGWU. Also, @ me next time, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/59dQy8RLsm— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) August 29, 2018
A week later, Gillum said President Trump went after him during a rally in Montana, “but still didn’t have the courage to @ me by name.”
“Mr. President, my name is Andrew Gillum and I’m going to be the next Governor of Florida because lies and scare tactics don’t vote, people do,” Gillum tweeted.
Heard @realDonaldTrump went after me again tonight — in Montana — but still didn’t have the courage to @ me by name.
Mr. President, my name is Andrew Gillum and I’m going to be the next Governor of Florida because lies and scare tactics don’t vote, people do.— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) September 7, 2018