Ron DeSantis, the current Republican governor of Florida with an ultra-conservative political record, will launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in a livestreamed Twitter conversation with owner, Elon Musk.
The unconventional social media launch sees DeSantis bucking a tradition that usually sees nominees launch their campaigns with an in-person rally, online video or interview on television.
DeSantis’ main rival for the Republican nomination at this point is former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is the current frontrunner. Trump has directed numerous insults towards DeSantis in the wake of his competition for the nomination.
“Announcing on Twitter is perfect for Ron DeSantis. This way he doesn’t have to interact with people and the media can’t ask him any questions,” a Trump aide said.
It is expected the Twitter livestream wil bring together a friendly audience for DeSantis, with Musk previously indicating his admiration of DeSantis.
Trump was banned from Twitter after the attack on the US Capitol in January 2021 and has since set up his own social website, Truth Social.
DeSantis has previously told political donors that he is the only candidate who would be able to beat President Joe Biden at the election in 2024.
“Biden, Trump and me. And I think of those three, two have a chance to get elected president – Biden and me, based on all the data in the swing states, which is not great for the former president and probably insurmountable because people aren’t going to change their view of him,” DeSantis said, according to the New York Times.
In April, DeSantis signed a bill banning abortion after six weeks in the state of Florida.