DeSantis launches GOP presidential campaign in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches
MIAMI — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday with firm words but a disastrous Twitter announcement reminding voters of criticism that he’s not ready for the national stage. He’s stepping into a crowded Republican primary contest that will test his strength against former President Donald Trump.
The 44-year-old Republican, an outspoken cultural conservative, initially announced his decision in a video posted on social media. He tried to discuss it further in a first-of-its-kind conversation with Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces, but the audio stream crashed repeatedly, making it virtually impossible for most users to hear the announcement in real time.
While his critics in both parties delighted in the rocky start, DeSantis’ announcement marks a new chapter in his extraordinary rise from little-known congressman to two-term governor to a leading figure in the nation’s bitter fights over race, gender, abortion and other divisive issues.
DeSantis is considered to be Trump’s strongest Republican rival even as the governor faces questions about his far-right policies, his campaign-trail personality and his lack of relationships across the Republican ecosystem. He has generated significant interest among GOP primary voters by casting himself as a younger and more electable version of the 76-year-old former president.
The ultimate Republican nominee is expected to face Democratic President Joe Biden on the general election ballot in November 2024.
DeSantis joins a field that also includes former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considered a likely presidential candidate but has not yet announced a bid.
In choosing Twitter, DeSantis tried to take a page out of the playbook that helped turn businessman-TV celebrity Trump into a political star.
It did not go as planned.
The evening online event started off with technical glitches that Musk said were due to “straining” servers because so many people were trying to listen to the audio-only event. More than 20 minutes passed beyond the scheduled start time with users getting kicked off, hearing microphone feedback, hold music and other technical problems.
Trump’s team mocked DeSantis.
“This is a disaster. Not surprising,” tweeted senior Trump adviser Chris LaCivita.
