Where Things Stand: I’m Sure He Will Figure Out How To Insult Me Better Soon But In The Meantime …

This is your TPM evening briefing.
DAVENPORT, IOWA - MARCH 13: Former President Donald Trump speaks to guests gathered for an event at the Adler Theatre on March 13, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. Trump's visit follows those by potential challengers for the... DAVENPORT, IOWA - MARCH 13: Former President Donald Trump speaks to guests gathered for an event at the Adler Theatre on March 13, 2023 in Davenport, Iowa. Trump's visit follows those by potential challengers for the GOP presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who hosted events in the state last week. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

He’s just asking questions.

Donald Trump gave us a taste of the mess that’s to come with the 2024 GOP primaries back in February when he less-than-subtly breathed life into what was, at the time, just far-right internet trolls making vague allegations that had something to do with Ron DeSantis partying with high schoolers.

Now DeSantis is giving him a taste of his own medicine. 

As Trump allies harnessed DeSantis’ silence on the expected Trump indictment to try to turn the GOP against DeSantis, the Florida Republican was clearly holding out for a reason. DeSantis waited until Monday morning to address the issue of Trump’s impending indictment and used it as an opportunity to remind Americans that Wholesome Ron knows nothing about paying off porn actresses or having affairs with women. 

“I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. I just I can’t speak to that,” he said, before joining the rest of the GOP in accusing the Manhattan’s DA’s office of being politically compromised. 

Trump, of course, punched back with an equally “nothing to see here” style attack on Truth Social, insinuating that he has some reason to think DeSantis may have had an affair with a man. 

The Best Of TPM Today

Here’s what you should read this evening:

House GOP Use Trump’s Truth Social Conspiracy Theories To Go After Manhattan DA

Trump Tries To Throw Legal Wrench In Georgia Election Probe

Trump Allies Use Expected Indictment To Try To Turn GOP Against DeSantis

House Republicans Scramble To Get In Line After Trump Ominously Calls For Protest

When In Doubt, Pivot To The Laptop

Yesterday’s Most Read Story

Does It Matter That the Stormy Case Goes First? — Josh Marshall

What We Are Reading

The Far-Right Is Scared Trump’s Call to Protest Is a Trap — Vice News

New U.N. Report Is Most Radical Call Yet for Climate Justice — Daily Beast

Kevin McCarthy’s desperate plea to MAGA reveals a glaring GOP failure — WaPo

Latest Editors' Blog
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: