Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Criticizes Trump’s Remarks on Immigration, Likened to Hitler
In a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on immigration, which have been likened to the rhetoric of Adolf Hitler.
DeSantis stated that Trump’s comments, in which he referred to immigrants entering the U.S. as “poisoning the blood of our country,” did not help “move the ball forward” on border issues. The governor emphasized that using such terms was not helpful in attacking President Joe Biden’s border policies.
Fellow GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley also expressed a similar sentiment in response to Trump’s comments, stating that the remarks were “just not helpful” and “not constructive.”
Several Senate Republicans and GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie have also used harsh language in chastising Trump over his remarks. President Biden’s re-election campaign rebuked Trump over the weekend, accusing him of echoing Hitler.
Trump has maintained his stance on the issue, doubling down on his comments during a rally in Iowa and dismissing the comparison to Hitler. He emphasized that he “never read ‘Mein Kampf'” and that Hitler used the “blood poisoning” line “in a much different way.”
When asked for comment on DeSantis’ response, a spokesperson for the governor pointed to a Fox News interview in which DeSantis suggested that he was unclear about Trump’s intention with the remark.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s remarks has sparked a debate within the GOP, with prominent figures within the party expressing their disapproval. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, immigration has emerged as a hot-button issue, prompting discussions and divisions within the Republican Party.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com