Donald Trump Motorcade arrives in Las Vegas

During a campaign stop in Las Vegas, former President Donald Trump took aim at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, his perceived main competitor in the 2024 GOP race. Speaking to a crowd at a GOP volunteer event, Trump criticized DeSantis, calling him "highly overrated."

"I'm not a big fan of his and he's highly overrated. He's highly overrated," Trump declared. He highlighted DeSantis' past positions on Social Security and raising the minimum age, suggesting that the Florida governor had changed his stance due to political pressure. Trump also took a jab at DeSantis' personality, stating that his lack thereof was advantageous for a politician.

Trump acknowledged the challenges he has faced in Nevada, a state that did not support him in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. However, he expressed his belief that Nevada is ultimately a Republican state and emphasized the importance of the upcoming election.

During his speech, Trump also criticized DeSantis' stance on ethanol, echoing comments he made during a previous campaign stop in Iowa. Prior to the Las Vegas event, Trump claimed that DeSantis was trying to withdraw from the 2024 race, while simultaneously saving face for a potential run in 2028.

Polling data shows Trump currently leading with 52.4 percent support, while DeSantis trails at 21.5 percent support. DeSantis attributed his declining poll numbers to media bias, suggesting that they were targeting him to prevent him from becoming the nominee. Trump has consistently credited his endorsement for DeSantis' rise in politics, claiming it propelled him to win the nomination for Florida governor.

The Iowa GOP recently announced that the caucuses are scheduled for January 15, 2024, setting the stage for a crucial event in the early stages of the 2024 election season.