Ron DeSantis, the governor of one of the largest and wealthiest states in the United States, wields considerable authority, but it’s safe to say that his current position as a Cabinet pick understudy is not where the former presidential candidate anticipated to wind himself.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Human Rights Campaign Press Secretary Brandon Wolf described how terrible DeSantis’ career has become.
“I just have to start by saying it’s got to be really embarrassing to be Ron DeSantis in this moment,” Wolf told me. “He’s gone from believing he would be the next president of the United States and chastising people in his own party for kissing the ring of Donald Trump to playing understudy to the Fox News host who may not get the job because he has a drinking problem.”
Wolf learned about DeSantis and his policy stances while working for the LGBTQ advocacy nonprofit Equality Florida. He stated that Trump favors people like DeSantis because they are achievers beyond all else.
“Donald Trump really values certain qualities in people like Ron DeSantis and [attorney general nominee] Pam Bondi,” he told reporters. “The first one is that they are also shamelessly self-obsessed.”
According to Wolf, Trump’s primary concern for Cabinet nominees is a palpable sense of desperation that can be used to engender allegiance.
“They are desperate for power at every single turn and will do anything to get it,” Wolf informed the crowd.
Trump is allegedly considering appointing DeSantis to run the Department of Defense. The president-elect has already nominated former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth for the position, but charges of sexual assault and problem drinking make his confirmation uncertain.
If Hegseth’s candidacy fails, he will become the second Trump nominee to be denied a Cabinet position. Trump nominated former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general in his second term, but a House inquiry into alleged sexual misbehavior quickly ended Gaetz’s chances. Trump has since chosen former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role.