Trump says he’d “beat” DeSantis in 2024 presidential race if he ran

Former President Trump said he’d beat Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in a Republican presidential primary in 2024 were he to enter, per an interview with Yahoo Business, published Sunday.

Why it matters: Both Trump and DeSantis have been floated as likely 2024 contenders.

What he’s saying: “If I faced him, I’d beat him like I would beat everyone else,” Trump told the outlet,” Trump told Yahoo Business.

• “I don’t think I will face him,” Trump continued. “I think most people would drop out, I think he would drop out.”
• Trump added that if he were to run “I think that I’ll do extremely well.”

Between the lines: Attorneys for the former president asked a federal judge last Friday to force Twitter to reinstate his account, which the platform indefinitely banned due to U.S. Capitol riot by a pro-Trump mob.

• Twitter was a crucial tool to reach his supporters during the 2016 and 2020 elections and throughout his presidency.

Of note: DeSantis didn’t rule out running in 2024 during an interview with Fox News on Saturday, but stressed that he’s focused on his governorship for now and any presidential race plans were “way down the road.”

• Representatives for DeSantis did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.