'Not willing to show up': Ron DeSantis goes after Donald Trump on CNN

Where's the Donald?

That's what Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to know and essentially spelled out during a Thursday appearance on CNN.

"Donald Trump is not willing to show up," DeSantis said on CNN's "The Source" with Kaitlin Collins. "He's missing in action right now.

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The White House job-seeking hopeful discussed topics ranging from gun laws, the war in Israel, and the battle to turn the GOP tide in the 2024 election and give the 45th president a run for the nomination.

"He doesn't show up. When he does show up, he reads off the teleprompter for 50 minutes and then gets back on the plane and goes home."

For DeSantis, who along with the rest of the GOP field is being lapped by Trump in recent polls, and despite being ridiculed as "Ron Desanctamonious" (along with "Ron DeSanctus" and "Meatball Ron" -- he said he isn't about going after the former president's character.

"I think I would be a better president than he is," the governor said, preferring to keep the discussion policy-driven. "But I don't need to take pot shots at his character. I mean some people like to do that."

DeSantis expects the numbers to start turning as the holidays approach thanks in part to his ground game.

"As voters are more keyed in, as we get closer to the holidays, you're not going to be able to get away with not putting in the work," he said. "So we're gonna put in the work and get the job done."

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