DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) team is firing back at the recent criticism from the MAGA community, addressing a comment that has sparked outrage.
DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
On Saturday, fervent supporters of former President Donald Trump, along with the Trump campaign, reacted strongly to a statement made by the Florida governor, which they interpreted as a direct insult towards them. The statement in question was made during an interview with Republican activist and writer Will Witt, and was distributed by the DeSantis campaign on Sunday morning.
DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
In the interview, Governor DeSantis discussed the complexity within the Republican party and the varied opinions about conservative politicians. He stated, “So there will be people who are huge Trump supporters, like in Congress, who have incredibly liberal left-wing records that is really just atrocious, and yet they’re viewed by some of these folks as like, really, really good. Then you have other people, you know, like a Congressman Chip Roy, who has endorsed me, Congressman Thomas Massie. These guys have records of principle fighting the swamp that are second to none. And yet, they will be attacked by some of these people and called RINOs. So it’s just been totally detached from any type of substance. And ultimately, a movement can’t be about the personality of one individual. The movement has got to be about what are you trying to achieve on behalf of the American people? And that’s got to be based in principle. Because if you’re not rooted in principle, if all we are is listless vessels that are just supposed to follow whatever happens to come down the pike on Truth Social every morning, that’s not going to be a durable movement.”
This “listless vessels” comment prompted criticism from notable Trump supporters, who believed it was aimed at them. Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for MAGA Inc., stated, “To Hillary Clinton, Trump supporters are ‘deplorables.’ To Ron DeSantis, they are ‘listless vessels.’ Leavitt added that the comment represents DeSantis showing his ‘true colors.'”
DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
In response to the backlash, DeSantis’ press secretary Bryan Griffin issued a statement on Sunday morning implying that the governor’s words were taken out of context. Griffin clarified that the comment was specifically directed at Trump and “some congressional endorsers.” He accused the media of refusing to report the facts, stating, “The dishonest media refuses to report the facts — Donald Trump and some congressional endorsers are ‘listless vessels.’ Why? Because Trump and DC insiders feel he is entitled to your vote. Ron DeSantis believes your trust should be earned and has the vision, plan, and record to beat Joe Biden and reverse the decline of our country.”
DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
Furthermore, Griffin used the opportunity to take a jab at Trump, highlighting his absence from a recent Republican debate. He stated, “That’s why Ron DeSantis will be showing up on Wednesday night to debate, and Donald Trump will not.”
DeSantis Camp Responds to MAGA Outrage Over ‘Listless Vessels’ Diss: ‘Dishonest Media Refuses to Report the Facts
This response from DeSantis’ camp comes amidst the ongoing discourse within the conservative movement about the direction it should take and the role that various figures should play.