
Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized US President Donald Trump for his involvement in the Iran war, warning that the conflict and rising fuel prices are hurting Republican support among voters.
In an interview on political commentator Stephen A. Smith's Straight Shooter with Stephen A radio show, DeSantis said that Trump came to power promising not to involve the United States in another war in the Middle East, but that developments have shown otherwise.
According to him, some Republican voters have distanced themselves from the party because they did not want the US to be involved in other conflicts in this region.
DeSantis also focused on the economic impact of the war, emphasizing that rising gasoline prices are particularly burdening families and working classes.
"If you can't admit this to the voters, then you're deceiving them and they won't listen to you on other issues," the governor declared, using the term gaslighting to describe the way he said Republicans are trying to deny economic reality.
He also warned that if the war continues throughout the remainder of Trump's presidential term, the consequences will be severe for the president's ability to carry out his agenda and for Republicans' electoral prospects.
During the interview, DeSantis also spoke about his political future after his term as governor ends in January. Asked if he intends to run for president again in 2028, he did not give a definitive answer, hinting that such a race could happen later.
"We'll see what happens. Maybe one day. I don't know about 2028, maybe later," he said.
DeSantis, who failed in the Republican race for the 2024 presidential nomination after Donald Trump secured the party's nomination, has had a tense political relationship with the president.
Meanwhile, in the race for the next governor of Florida, he has supported Republican candidate Byron Donalds, who faces Democrat David Jolly.