Much like in 2016, the race for the Republican Party presidential nomination is looking to be very crowded -- and that is reportedly making former President Donald Trump very happy.
Politico reports that the entrance of Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) into the race has Trump and his allies rubbing their hands over the potential that he and other GOP candidates will dilute support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom they see as the top challenger for the 2024 GOP nomination.
In particular, they said that the entry of multiple Republican candidates was a sign that the party is not convinced DeSantis can effectively challenge for the nomination.
“The general thinking is that Scott getting in is another sign that there is blood in the water for DeSantis," said one Trump ally. "It’s no coincidence that multiple people are getting in the ring in the last few days."
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Another Trump ally mocked DeSantis by arguing that Scott doesn't have to regularly remind himself to be "likeable" as DeSantis was reminded to do during debate preparations in 2018 during his first run for Florida governor.
Former Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, meanwhile, told Politico that Trump is currently welcoming Scott into the race because he doesn't see him as a threat -- although he said that would change very rapidly if Scott were to start rising in the polls.
