- Trump’s Make America Great Again Super PAC has filed an ethics complaint against its parent DeSantis PAC.
- Trump’s team wants Florida’s Ethics Commission to investigate whether DeSantis’ book tour was “illegal.”
- This ethical complaint is the beginning of an official dispute between the Trump campaign and DeSantis supporters.
A new front has been drawn in the battle between supporters of former President Donald Trump and allies of his political benefactor turned nemesis Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Make America Great Again Inc., a super PAC affiliated with Trump, filed a complaint with Florida’s Ethics Commission on Wednesday.
MAGA Inc. is asking Florida’s ethics board to investigate whether DeSantis’ “personally profitable book tour” and the activities of a DeSantis-backed super PAC violate the law.a draft complaint Obtained exclusively by NBC News.
In its complaint, MAGA Inc. accused DeSantis of seeking and accepting “illegal gifts worth millions of dollars in violation of Florida’s ethics laws and the Florida Constitution.” It also accused DeSantis of profiting from “unethical gifts, illegal campaign contributions, and coordinated efforts specifically designed to receive as a particular personal benefit.” bottom.
MAGA Inc. claimed that DeSantis was funded by “a vast network of political commissions, non-profit organizations, and prominent political operatives.” He also stated that these activities “served his personal political ends, promoted his personal financial interests at the expense of Florida taxpayers, and influenced his official decision to resign.” It is illegal because it is intended to
The Trump PAC also accused DeSantis of running a “shadow presidential campaign.” PAC called for him to impeach DeSantis from his position as governor if DeSantis was found to have violated state ethics laws.
“The Make America Great Again Movement Was Born to Stop Career Politicians Using Public Services to Amass Personal Wealth and Power,” MAGA Inc. told CNN on wednesday. “An investigation by the Florida Ethics Committee must take place as soon as possible.”
DeSantis is indeed on tour to promote his new book. However, it is unclear whether the DeSantis-linked super PAC or the governor himself benefited financially from the tour.
DeSantis spokesperson Taryn Fenske told NBC News that MAGA Inc’s complaint “adds it to the list of frivolous and politically motivated attacks.”
“It’s inappropriate to use national ethics for partisan purposes,” Fensky told NBC News.
The ethical complaint is a clear escalation of hostilities from the Trump campaign in fighting DeSantis. DeSantis has yet to announce a presidential run, but his two are on a clashing path toward the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Trump has also stepped up his attacks on DeSantis. In the past four months, Trump has accused DeSantis of being “mean” and “extremely dishonest”, alleging he cried in front of him in 2018 when he sought his endorsements. wrote many angry Truth Social posts denouncing DeSantis. say it Coming up with a new mean nickname for DeSantis is “very unimportant” to him.
DeSantis has so far refrained from insulting Trump. In November, he called on people to “calm down” about a possible Republican civil war.
A representative for DeSantis, a spokesman for Trump and a spokesman for MAGA Inc. did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment outside of normal business hours.
