Ron DeSantis fires roughly a dozen staffers in a campaign shake-up
NBCMAY 2023
The Spin
Democratic narrative
For someone who was supposed to challenge Trump, DeSantis is struggling and these firings are just the latest ominous sign that this campaign is going nowhere. Past candidates have undergone similar staff shakeups, but none made changes so early in the race. Democrats may not have the luxury of a destructive head-to-head GOP duel between DeSantis and Trump.
Republican narrative
Don’t count out DeSantis yet. He’s just beginning to find his footing on the national stage and still has plenty of cash to power his run. Once he begins appealing to independents and undecided voters, he could very likely challenge Trump in a robust way.
Pro-Trump narrative
DeSantis is no match for Trump, and the Morning Consult Poll showing Trump leading DeSantis 56-17% is concrete proof that the Florida governor is going nowhere fast. DeSantis was warned about hiring too many people too soon, but he didn’t listen. Now he’s cutting staff when he should be making a run at the frontrunner.