Internet mocks Republican infighting after Ron DeSantis says he'll veto bill to pay for Trump's legal fees

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has hinted that he would veto a Republican-led bill in the state to utilize taxpayer money to assist former President Trump in paying his legal fees.

In response to a recent article from Politico arguing that some Republicans in Florida were pushing for taxpayers' aid in supplementing Trump's legal fees, Governor DeSantis posted on X (previously known as Twitter) that "But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen…"

The tweet froze the legislative push almost immediately as Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia, who endorsed Trump's presidential candidacy, reacted to the governor’s post by announcing that she would withdraw the bill.

However, the outrage that followed saw a bitter clash between DeSantis supporters and the MAGA crowd who slammed the Sunshine State governor over his remark, “This is the time for Unity!” he’d made after he withdrew his GOP presidential nomination bid last Sunday.

Which bill was introduced to help Trump’s legal woes?

The proposed bill SB 1740, introduced by Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, sought to establish a 'Florida Freedom Fighter's Fund' with the primary objective of providing substantial financial support to Donald Trump's criminal defense legal team, per a report by MeidasTouch.

If the bill were to get passed, the allocation of $5 million from Floridian taxpayers' money would be allocated towards the payment of Trump's legal fees, with additional funding to be provided at a later date.

Notably, the bill received an endorsement from Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, thus adding to its political momentum.

However, all of that changed when Florida's governor chimed in, fresh off his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

Senator Garcia noted in her response to DeSantis’s tweet, “This bill was filed on January 5th amidst a crowded primary, including two Florida residents,” she remarked, alluding to both DeSantis and Trump.

“My concern was the political weaponization against conservative candidates, and while (Florida Chief Financial Officer) @JimmyPatronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign through the primary, one frontrunner now remains, and he can handle himself,” the Republican senator explained, adding. “I will be withdrawing the bill.”

DeSantis terminated his presidential campaign on Sunday, January 21, and endorsed Donald Trump, saying he is "superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden. That is clear."

“I signed a pledge to support the Republican nominee, and I will honor that pledge,” he added.

Clash between conservative voices unfolded online

The upcoming session of the Florida State House is still about five weeks away, and the eventual outcome of the bill remains uncertain.

Nonetheless, Governor DeSantis deemed it necessary to take a public stance on the matter after he left the campaign trail.

DeSantis's statement on X elicited a sense of betrayal among supporters of former President Donald Trump, thereby exposing a significant division within the Republican Party between the Trump and DeSantis factions.

Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who works with the former President’s campaign team, tweeted, ““Unity” isn’t possible with @TeamDeSantis . Look how disgusting he is. It’s not us. It’s them. Throwing a tantrum like a child. #Trump2024 #NeverDeSantis”

Kingsley Wilson of the right-wing think tank Center for Renewing America stated, "So much for unity."

Jack Posobiec, an advocate for the far right, tweeted, “Little boy got told he isn’t going to be VP either Got dogwalked all the way back to Tallahassee Good, he can stay there”

Julie Kelly, a self-described "insurrection denier" and "J6 conspiracy theorist," was especially incensed at DeSantis’s tweet saying, “Oh look the governor with the most J6 defendants including Trump has thoughts”

“Just wait until DOJ investigates RDS super PAC, Martha’s Vineyard stunt, and other made up offenses. He’ll be the first asking for state support,” she remarked.

Pedro Gonzalez retorted, "DeSantis doesn’t think taxpayers should pay a billionaire’s legal bills In response, these people are practically hoping for Biden’s DOJ to go after DeSantis"

The Iowa caucus clash between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis has left a lingering sense of unease and discontent among their respective supporters.

The animosity between the two groups remains palpable, with little indication that it will abate in the near future.

Those who once supported Trump but have since shifted their allegiance to DeSantis are now confronting the cult-like behavior of Trump's followers, a phenomenon that they find deeply concerning.

Internet reacted to back and forth between conservative factions unloading on each other

People on X had the time of their lives, reacting to the sheer metaphorical bloodbath which unfolded online among DeSantis voters and Trump's formidable MAGA base.

One X user remarked: "MAGA Republicans have some really interesting priorities. They are constipated with fury because the governor of Florida won’t pay the legal bills of a corrupt man who obviously has the money. Meanwhile, they don’t want to expand Medicaid to the poorest among us. Today’s GOP!"

Another user said: "I'm loving all of this inter-party fighting"

Another user wrote: "Just more of the usual “as a loyal Republican you have to be 100% Trump” nonsense. The obsession over supporting one person is enough already."

One user quipped: "BASED RON!!!!"

Another X user remarked: "I’m glad I was sitting down. DeSantis did something right?"

Finally, this user tweeted: "I’m a Florida tax payer and no one asked me if I wanted to fund Trumps legal woes. Hard NO!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.