In The Guardian, political journalist Sidney Blumenthal discusses how Ron DeSantis’s campaign for the Republican Party’s presidential candidacy became entangled in excessive conflict, mudslinging, and divisiveness. Attempting to out-Trump Trump, DeSantis showcased a thirst for unchecked power and control:

The aspiring authoritarian tries to seize absolute authority through contempt for civil authority. But once he stumbled into his quagmire with Disney, one of the largest employers in Florida, DeSantis’s theatrics did not seem so clever in beating the woke and owning the libs. His imitation of Trump’s defiant exploitation for political and personal advantage hit a snag. Against Disney, DeSantis trapped himself into a conflict with a more popular and powerful adversary. His stalling upset his image-building to inflate himself above Trump. He made himself appear weak, small and reckless.

When his stunts ceased working to make him seem big, DeSantis’s stature fell to earth. His obvious ploys are increasingly seen, even by his erstwhile donors, as his vain effort to define his identity.