The Never Back Down campaign never had a chance.
After being roundly rejected by Iowa voters, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ended his presidential campaign on Jan. 21.
“You can’t build your campaign on the backs of hate, discrimination and ‘WOKE’ and expect to win over the country,” Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones posted on X. “America just responded and said they DO NOT want to be Florida.”
Dropping out a day before the New Hampshire primary, DeSantis said it was clear to him that the majority of Republican primary voters “want to give Donald Trump another chance.”
DeSantis wasted little time endorsing Trump, who savaged him throughout the campaign with insults and accusations of disloyalty.
“DeSantis was not gracious,” said longtime Trump confidant Steve Bannon. “He’s still like the little 9-year-old, petulant child.”
Making matters worse was an awkward personality that failed to inspire a movement anywhere equal to Trump’s MAGA supporters. His weird facial expressions and high-heeled boots became easy fodder for comedians and commentators.
DeSantis’ return on investment was abysmal as well. Between the campaign and his Never Back Down political action committee, DeSantis spent $150 million and got only 23,420 votes. That comes out to $6,400 per vote.
“Biggest dumpster fire in the history of politics,” remarked political analyst Doug Landry in a well circulated post on X.
DeSantis built his political persona on being a culture warrior. He took part in disgusting publicity stunts such as rounding up migrant workers in Texas and flying them to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. without notice or further instruction.
Using the governorship as a bully pulpit, DeSantis launched investigations into drag shows, installed an anti-vaxxer as state surgeon general, defended the “benefits” of slavery, signed a six-week abortion ban and eliminated gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
“From the day he was sworn in, Ron DeSantis built a political brand on anti-LGBTQ+ hate. It turns out voters don’t think much of banning books and attacking trans kids,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “Sorry, not sorry, Ron. Your campaign now sits where your brand of politics belong, in the dustbin of history.”
Politico may have summed up his candidacy the best: “Worst Presidential Campaign in History.”