Steve Schmidt, the co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, has claimed that Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is a “bully and a weakling” who would murder his political opponents if he had the chance.
In a lengthy outburst on Twitter, Schmidt also called DeSantis “a vicious man,” “a canker on the soul of” America, and “a political sadist and constitutional vandal.”
The meltdown appeared to be a response to the governor sending two planes full of migrants to liberal elite playground Martha’s Vineyard this week.
“I’m going to say something,” Schmidt said.
“There is no hyperbole attached to it.
“I mean it. Every word,” he asserted.
“Anyone who thinks Ron Desantis wouldn’t kill his political opponents given the chance doesn’t understand who he is.
“He just proved it. The refusal to see that is stupid. Recklessly stupid,” Schmidt tweeted on Thursday.
“The DeSantis Martha’s Vineyard stunt was a capricious act of cruelty built on a mountain of dehumanization,” he added in another tweet.
“Desantis is a canker on the soul of this country.
“Voting is the penicillin necessary to rid ourselves of the Tallahassee infection. VOTE HIM OUT,” Schmidt wrote.
5/ He hurt people. He benefited from doing so in his small, sick cloistered world. Desantis looks in the mirror and sees a President. We should all look at him clearly and see what he is. He’s a sadist. A political sadist and constitutional vandal. He is a bully and a weakling
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) September 15, 2022
DeSantis has become a rising star in the Republican Party.
He is currently running against former governor Charlie Crist during the state’s 2022 gubernatorial election contest.
Many view DeSantis as someone who could eventually mount a presidential bid.
Democrats have imploded over the news that migrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday.
Taryn Fenske, communications director for the Florida governor, confirmed that the Sunshine State is behind the flights.
“Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha’s Vineyard today were part of the state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations,” Fenske told Fox News.
“As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law,” she noted.
NPR reported that flight trackers indicate that two flights departed from San Antonio, Texas.
The outlet said that one of the planes stopped in Florida and South Carolina prior to reaching Martha’s Vineyard.
The other aircraft stopped in Florida and North Carolina before arriving at Martha’s Vineyard.
While Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants out of the Lone Star State and into so-called “santuary cities,” the governor’s office notes that it was not involved in the flights to Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday.
“Our office has had conversations with Governor DeSantis and his team about supporting our busing strategy to provide much-needed relief to our overwhelmed and overrun border communities,” a spokesperson for Abbott told NPR.
“Though we were not involved in these initial planes to Martha’s Vineyard, we appreciate the support in responding to this national crisis and helping Texans. Governor Abbott encourages and welcomes all his fellow governors to engage in this effort to secure the border and focus on the failing and illegal efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration to continue these reckless open border policies.”
