Life is a zero-sum game for Donald Trump, and we knew that eventually, the clash with Ron DeSantis. DeSantis was getting too popular too fast, to the point that he’s now become a legitimate threat to Trump for the Republican nomination should he decide to run again.

Trump sees life as a zero-sum game where no one wins unless someone losses equally badly, if not worse. Thus, with Trump and DeSantis going after the same prize (over 18 months away, for God’s sake), Trump wants DeSantis out of the race early to clear the field for him should Trump choose to run himself… all the way. We know that Trump will make his announcement on Tuesday, which triggers some legislation regarding spending campaign funds on a greater number of things without having to rely on PAC money.

This creates a bit of tension between the young Trump and Trump-proper. Of course, the media loves the tension, but the fact remains that if the two are pictured on a golf green smiling away and joking, one isn’t going to be able to manage that situation and turn it into a war.

However, when Trump himself, in front of thousands of supporters at a rally, calls Ron DeSantis “Ron DeSanctimonious,” that is going to lead to some coverage of the event. And the follow-up. It is not the media’s fault that there is some tension developing between the two. Someone really needs to tell Travis Tritt.

Oh yes, we made Trump call him “Desanctimonious” at his rally, then we made him send out the longest social media post of his life attacking Desantis. It’s our fault. Always is. pic.twitter.com/EV4mmlIfVA

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 13, 2022

The media was also the one to cause Trump to talk negatively about DeSantis all over Mar-a-Lago, testing his staff’s loyalty and patience. Meanwhile, DeSantis is best served by sitting and waiting quietly, which is what he’s doing.

Twitter had some thoughts:

If I had known we had that kind of power, I would have demanded we use it sooner.

— Rachel Vindman 🌻 (@natsechobbyist) November 13, 2022

I actually thought Desanctimonious was fairly clever, and there is no way Trump thought up a word that long by himself 🤣

— Susan Hirschmann (@Susan111) November 13, 2022

Like most children, Republicans never take ownership of their actions.

— Joe is Me (@YeahJeeetsYeah) November 13, 2022

Dear Travis,

These two will do their worst on their own!

Signed,

Popcorn Eater

— True Words Are Spoken (@TruWordsRSpoken) November 13, 2022

once upon a time, about 30 years ago, i loved this guy and his music. i paid ridiculously good money for his concert. i had the cd's, the shirts, the whole nine. now, whenever i hear his voice, i cringe. so travis, here's a quarter; call someone who cares.

— Denise I am K.I.N.D. ♥❤ (@Denise28755414) November 13, 2022

Good grief, everyone can see that two such narcissist could never be on the same team. We don’t have to pit them against one another, they will do it themselves.

— Mary Tyson (@tyson_mary) November 13, 2022

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[email protected], @JasonMiciak, with Nicole Hickman