There was no quid pro quo, and Gov. Ron DeSantis is offended anyone implied there was.
The Florida Republican blasted former President Donald Trump for insinuating he paid six figures to win the endorsement of Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader.
"It's a scurrilous charge!" he said during an appearance on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" Monday. "It's without merit."
When Vander Plaats went public with his endorsement of the Florida governor (in advance of the Jan. 15 Caucus), he tweeted: "Thrilled to endorse @RonDeSantis for President of the United States."
Trump's team quickly went on the offensive.
"Over 150 faith leaders in Iowa are organizing their congregations for President Trump and not a single one demanded nearly $100K like Bob Vander Plaat$ did from Ron DeSanctus," according to the campaign's official response. "When you are actually a leader of a movement like President Trump is, people are willing to support you for free."
"Kim Reynolds' endorsement won't save Ron DeSanctus, and neither will Wander Plaat."
An August Reuters report confirmed the DeSantis campaign, a super PAC linked to him and a nonprofit group supporting him together combined to spend $95,000 to Vander Plaats' Family Leader Foundation in the lead-up to a July forum.
The report found the funds secured three pages of advertisements in a booklet distributed at the event that was attended by 2,000 Christian conservatives, and tickets to the summit, lunch and an after-dinner event.
"The PAC I don't control, as you know," said DeSantis. "But they paid for advertising. So it's a very influential group of evangelicals in Iowa. They're paying to be in programs and to be able to advertise the candidacy. That's frequently happened."
However, DeSantis stressed that in no way was Vander Plaats' endorsement a pay-for-play situation.
"Bob Vander Plaats' endorsement is not for sale," he said. "He's got a great reputation. He's become a friend of Casey and me along the way. He's very influential in Iowa."
The governor then turned his frustration toward the leading GOP candidate's immaturity.
"If somebody endorses somebody other than you, you don't have to lash out and attack the person who's giving the endorsement," DeSantis said. "It's a primary. People can have different choices in this."
He added: "There's not always an ulterior motive."
Moreover, the attacks on Vander Plaats by Trump were "a bit out of bounds."
