It is becoming increasingly clear that the GOP primary field is Donald Trump — and then everyone else.
Former President Donald Trump’s overwhelmingly successful visit to a Dairy Queen in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 7 may have given Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis some copycat ideas.
However, unlike Trump’s visit, which attracted large crowds, the response to DeSantis’s stop at the ice cream chain store was a little chilly.
On Friday, in an effort to connect with Iowa voters, DeSantis paid a visit to a Des Moines Dairy Queen, indulged in a Blizzard ice cream treat, and fielded questions from a small group of journalists in attendance.
Just in case anyone had any doubts about the visit being simply coincidental, DeSantis removed all doubt when he quipped, “When you’re here, you have to visit a Dairy Queen. I appreciate Senator Grassley arranging this. I’ve known about Blizzards for a long time. It’s an important part, and I’m happy to partake. Let’s go.”
DeSantis stops at an Iowa Dairy Queen, orders a Blizzard and answers questions.
Still think the race is just between you and Trump?
[Nods head] “Just watch, just watch.”Worried about Tim Scott?
“I’m not worried about anything, man. We’ve got a plan.” pic.twitter.com/3JkmyxwKRB— Will McDuffie (@wrmcduff) July 14, 2023
The remark was a not-so-subtle dig at Trump’s lack of knowledge about the iconic Dairy Queen frozen dessert during his visit earlier in July.
Although Trump may not have known what a DQ Blizzard was, his visit took the area by storm. The same cannot be said about the DeSantis visit.
Do you think this PR stunt backfired on DeSantis?
Yes: 100% (2 Votes)
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Chants of “We love Trump!” and “USA!” could be heard in the store as Trump generously bought Blizzards (after he found out what they were) for everyone.
The optics of the Florida governor standing by himself at the counter of Dairy Queen just a few days later did not quite capture the same energy of Trump’s visit.
Trump visits Dairy Queen in Iowa 🤣
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 7, 2023
President @realDonaldTrump ordering Blizzards at local Iowa Dairy Queen! pic.twitter.com/rrxbUDSvCm
— Margo Martin (@margommartin) July 7, 2023
Twitter users, who have become a sort of barometer for the nation’s opinions, had much to say about DeSantis’s lukewarm reception at the Dairy Queen.
One user wrote, “When Trump stopped into a Dairy Queen last week, the entire operation shut down. When Desantis pulls up, they literally continue serving drive-thru customers. There are levels to this.”
Despite the underwhelming turnout, DeSantis appeared unperturbed when questioned about the competitive landscape of the Republican presidential nomination.
When asked by a reporter if the race was still just between him and Trump, the governor simply nodded and responded, “Just watch, just watch.”
When Trump stopped into a Dairy Queen last week, the entire operation shut down
When Desantis pulls up, they literally continue serving drive thru customers
There are levels to this pic.twitter.com/unuYdZiX9p
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) July 14, 2023
President Trump at Dairy Queen
Vs.
Ron DeSantis at Dairy Queen
You can’t buy authenticity, Ron! pic.twitter.com/HZ1sSClnk3
— Lucky (@TheMagaHulk) July 14, 2023
DeSantis stops at an Iowa Dairy Queen, orders a Blizzard and answers questions.
Still think the race is just between you and Trump?
[Nods head] “Just watch, just watch.”Worried about Tim Scott?
“I’m not worried about anything, man. We’ve got a plan.” pic.twitter.com/3JkmyxwKRB— Will McDuffie (@wrmcduff) July 14, 2023
The problem for DeSantis is that he is attempting to mimic Trump’s successful campaign strategies without truly grasping the charisma that endeared Trump to his base. Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but it’s no substitute for authenticity.
Trump and DeSantis have pretty clearly separated themselves from the rest of the crowded GOP primary field.
As for the head-to-head between Trump and DeSantis? The governor asked Americans to “Just watch.”
So far, what Americans are watching just isn’t that impressive.
