Trump's candidate for Kentucky governor trounced DeSantis' last-minute endorsement, so Trump gloated 'Ron's magic is GONE!'
- Donald Trump is celebrating an endorsement victory in the Kentucky GOP gubernatorial primary.
- Trump-backed Daniel Cameron won the nomination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' endorsement came in third.
Donald Trump notched a victory after his endorsement swept in the Kentucky gubernatorial primary, and the former president is loudly celebrating the change in his endorsement tides.
Kentucky Attorney General secured a comfortable win in the Republican primary on Tuesday, far outpacing a competitor endorsed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has become Trump's nemesis in the 2024 race for the White House.
Trump, who was largely blamed for a slew of GOP losses in the 2022 midterms after several of his picks didn't pan out, celebrated Cameron's win with a dig at DeSantis on Wednesday.
"Congratulations to a 'star' in Kentucky, Daniel Cameron, who easily won the Republican Nomination for Governor. He had my Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump posted on Truth Social. "The DeSanctimonious backed candidate came in a DISTANT third. Ron's magic is GONE!"
A spokesperson from DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
While DeSantis has not yet announced a presidential run, he had endorsed Kelly Craft, a former UN Ambassador and Republican megadonor who came in third despite dumping $9 million of her own money into the race.
DeSantis wasn't the only Republican to get behind Craft. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas also stumped for her before the primary, The Hill reported.
DeSantis faced a second gut punch in his own state when his endorsement for Jacksonville mayor lost to a Democrat. Donna Deegan's win provides a major boost to Florida Democrats after the DeSantis-led drubbings they have endured at the ballot box.
Politico pointed out that Sen. Rick Scott of Florida campaigned for the Republican, Daniel Davis, in the closing days before the primary — while DeSantis was out testing the presidential waters in Iowa.
Trump didn't hesitate to make sure DeSantis felt that sting, doubling down on Truth Social.
"DeSanctimonious lost Jacksonville and Kentucky last night. Not good!!!" Trump posted.
In November, Cameron will face off against popular Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear. The contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched elections in this off-year cycle before next year's presidential race.