DeSantis team downplays scrubbing of campaign events on website
HAMPTON, New Hampshire — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ team on Sunday morning downplayed questions about its website being scrubbed of public events as the Republican candidate canceled his appearances on national political talk shows two days before the first primary of the 2024 presidential elections.
Over recent weeks, the bulk of DeSantis’ public campaign trail outings have been organized by the Never Back Down PAC, which would invite him as a special guest, though his campaign has coordinated some as well.
As of Sunday morning, the PAC only had one event listed in New Hampshire and his campaign website — which had previously detailed his public appearances — had none, stoking rumors on social media about the future of his 2024 bid.
DeSantis was still slated to hold a meet and greet in Manchester, New Hampshire later in the day Sunday, according to his campaign. Although not listed on the website, his team disbursed a media adviser.
A campaign spox told The Post that the Manchester event had never been listed on the campaign website and is still on.
Allies of former President Donald Trump quickly latched onto the DeSantis’ campaign event page getting scrubbed as a sign of the campaign’s lack of staying power.
Trump adviser Dan Scavino Jr. called attention to it on X.
Trump ally Laura Loomer, who has an extensive history of causing disruptions at DeSantis events, accosting his campaign team, and spewing conspiracy theories, outright predicted the Sunshine State Republican was getting ready to drop out.
DeSantis had also been slated to make appearances on a handful of Sunday morning political talk shows. However that got scrapped Saturday.
“The media hits were canceled due to a scheduling issue and will be rescheduled,” DeSantis campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin posted on X.
“The governor will be traveling Sunday morning with the campaign and has public events scheduled Sunday evening through Tuesday in NH.”
Advertisement trackers Media Buying and AdImpact have flagged a dramatic dip in TV spots from DeSantis and his PACs since the beginning of January.
DeSantis has diverted much of his campaign resources to South Carolina and stumped there Saturday, seemingly eyeing the state as an avenue to regain traction in the 2024 GOP primary.
South Carolina’s primary is scheduled for Feb. 24, which would give him a month to campaign there following the New Hampshire.
Polls have painted a bleak picture for DeSantis in the Granite State, which is dominated by a battle between Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. He is also lagging behind in South Carolina.
Trump is up with 50.3%, followed by Haley at 34%, and DeSantis at 6.3%, in the Granite State, per the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate.
Still, DeSantis has continued to draw sizeable crowds during his campaign events in New Hampshire — at least at the ones observed by The Post.
The Florida governor has publicly stressed that his campaign is built for the long haul.
When asked last week on a conservative radio show if he could carry on his campaign through the end of March, DeSantis replied: “Oh, yes on that, 100%. We can do that.”
Meanwhile, Trump has needled DeSantis over his polling position and concentrated fire on Haley.
“You notice I haven’t even mentioned the name of Ron DeSanctiminous yet, because I think he’s gone,” Trump chided to boos during a rally in Manchester, before mocking the governor’s footwear.
Back in May when DeSantis launched his campaign, he was widely pegged to be the second-place candidate after Trump and had at least $150 million spent by his allies to buoy him, per Federal Election Commission records.
DeSantis banked heavily on a strong showing in Iowa, but Trump ultimately thumped the field, with a roughly 30-odd point margin of victory.
DeSantis edged out Haley for second place in the caucus.
New Hampshire’s primary contest will take place on Tuesday.
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