Donald Trump Declares 'Game Over' for Ron DeSantis

Donald Trump directed a pointed jibe at Republican nominee rival Ron DeSantis, declaring it was “game over” for the Florida governor’s campaign following the exit of a top strategist.

Republican nomination frontrunner Trump mocked the Florida governor on his social media platform Truth Social following Jeff Roe’s resignation from the DeSantis-supporting super PAC Never Back Down (NBD).

“Jeff Roe is out—Game over for DeSanctimonious. #MAGA,” Trump said in the December 16 post.

The jibe was the latest instance where Trump has hit out at DeSantis, who has struggled to gain momentum and has trailed the former president in multiple polls tracking the race to secure the Republican primary.

A split image of Donald Trump (left) and Ron DeSantis. The former president, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, said it was “game over” for the Florida governor’s campaign following the departure of Jeff Roe on Saturday, December 16.
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Roe announced “I can’t believe it ended this way,” in a December 16 post on X, formerly Twitter. He has left NBD less than a month before the 2024 Iowa caucuses—the first major test for presidential candidates.

“I am proud of the team we have built at Never Back Down and the incredible work and integrity of every devoted professional within the organization,” Roe said.

“This is a team of political warriors, and their grind and dedication over the last nine months has helped put Governor Ron DeSantis in a strong position.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.'”

I can’t believe it ended this way. I’m so proud to have worked alongside these men and women at NBD 24/7 the past nine months to save the country. Good luck the next 28 days and a wake up. I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you. pic.twitter.com/Rh4oQQ1tAE

— Jeff Roe (@jeffroe) December 17, 2023

The former NBD strategist denied a Washington Post report on Saturday that alleged there were tensions within the super PAC, which has offered DeSantis’ campaign considerable financial backing.

NBD’s new chairman was reported by the Post to have criticized several former employees and alleged there had been “nurmerous unauthorized leaks.”

“I cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today,” Roe said.

“They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis. I am resigning my position effective immediately.

“Governor DeSantis has been an exceptional governor and I hope he will be the 47th president of the United States. I wish the governor, first lady, and their entire team the best through the rest of the campaign.”

Roe is the latest departure from the super PAC to attract disparaging comments from the former president.

Earlier this month, Trump celebrated the departures of several NBD members. Politico previously reported NBD had fired Kristin Davidson, its interim chief executive officer, just nine days after she replaced Chris Jankowski who resigned following alleged infighting in the super PAC.

“The Ron DeSanctimonious campaign people are dropping like flies,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.

Newsweek has contacted DeSantis’ and NBD’s press teams, as well as Trump’s team for comment via email.