DeSantis has filed his formal candidacy for the 2024 presidential election

He is descending into the arena: Republican Ron DeSantis filed his formal candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on Wednesday, kicking off a battle against Donald Trump that promises to be extremely acrimonious. The governor of Florida formalized this candidacy a few hours before a planned exchange with Elon Musk on Twitter.

Atypical launch

The candidacy of Ron DeSantis, 44, is highly anticipated by Republicans seeking an alternative to the 76-year-old former US president, whose ideas he shares, but not the excesses. The choice of this exchange with the boss of Twitter, moderated by the Republican businessman David Sacks, for a campaign launch is however atypical. "This is the first time that we will experience something like this on a social network," said Elon Musk, promising "questions and answers in real time, and not prepared in advance". This exchange should not be perceived as a sponsorship, pleaded the billionaire with ambiguous political positioning.

" READ ALSO United States: between conservatism and realism, Ron DeSantis has become the new hope of the Republican Party

The governor of Florida is seen as Donald Trump's main rival for the Republican nomination. The winner of these primaries will face in November 2024 the candidate chosen by the Democratic Party – most likely Joe Biden.

Ultra-conservative stunts

Former naval officer Ron DeSantis has gained popularity by multiplying ultra-conservative stunts on education or immigration. In the name of a battle against supposed "right-thinking," he turned his state into a laboratory of conservative ideas. But his path to the White House is fraught with pitfalls.

" READ ALSO United States: Ron DeSantis, the governor who challenges Donald Trump in the Republican primaries

The governor, in whom many conservatives had placed their hopes for the presidential election after his triumphant re-election in Florida in November 2022, is now seriously behind Donald Trump - officially candidate since November 2022 - according to many opinion polls. Polls that must be taken with tweezers, as the election is still far away, but that Donald Trump shares with joy on his network, Truth Social.

The main handicap of the conservative, father of three children: a lack of charisma, pointed out on all sides. And on which the Trump camp does not hesitate to attack him. "Announcing his candidacy on Twitter is perfect for DeSantis. That way, he doesn't need to interact with anyone," one of the former president's advisers told AFP.

Hostilities are launched

The invective between the two men began well before the governor of Florida launched, with acid statements and interposed meetings. "DeSantis desperately needs to have a personality transplanted," Donald Trump mocked Wednesday morning. Surrounded by judicial investigations, the former president threw himself headlong into his third race for the White House, mobilizing his base that has largely remained loyal to him.

Read alsoDonald Trump back in court for an old accusation of rape

In this face-to-face with Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis will still be able to rely on an imposing war chest of $ 110 million. He plans to dip into these funds to try to catch up by flooding the country with advertising spots.

In a recent video from his political action committee, a man puts a "DeSantis president" sticker to cover a "Trump 2016" on a car. It is a summary of the message that the governor wants to convey to voters: elected to lead Florida in 2018, with the support of... Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis claims to embody the new guard. The other declared Republican candidates - Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Asa Hutchinson - rarely exceed 5% of voting intentions.