DeSantis: ‘If I Run, I’ll Be Running Against Biden’

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly said in an upcoming interview that should he run for president, he’s more concerned about winning against President Joe Biden than former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis spoke to Piers Morgan in an interview set to air Thursday on Fox Nation, according to the New York Post.

“If I were to run,” DeSantis reportedly said. “I’m running against Biden. Like we are competing for the Republican, potentially, I get that, but ultimately you know the guy I’m gonna focus on is Biden because I think he’s failed the country. I think the country wants a change. I think they want a fresh start and a new direction and so we’ll be very vocal about that.”

“Do you think you could beat Biden?” Morgan asked, according to the New York Post. (RELATED: Lindsey Graham Weighs In On Trump-DeSantis Feud)

“I think so,” DeSantis reportedly said. “I won independents by 18 points and so that will be the same formula that we would take, and honestly forget about me, I think anybody should take the formula like that nationally. You can’t win with just Republicans. You’ve gotta win with independents and you need to convince some of these Democrats, which I was able to do in Florida, because they’re not woke, they don’t like some of the nonsense going on.”

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: Derek Arnold salutes a flag featuring former President Donald Trump that supporters are flying near his Mar-a-Lago home on March 20, 2023 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“They want their streets safe, and they want quality education,” DeSantis said, according to the Post. “So I think you could appeal to people across the canvas.”

DeSantis reportedly told Morgan he hasn’t made a final decision but he’s got a lot to think about it.

Trump has consistently remained ahead of DeSantis in the polls, with RealClearPolitics average showing Trump leads DeSantis on average by 15.9 points since Feb. 15. Trump also led DeSantis by 15.9 points on average between Nov. 10 – Dec. 14 but his lead took a slight dip between Jan. 14 – Feb. 14 where he was up by 15.6 points, according to RealClearPolitics.

A newly released Morning Consult poll showed Trump receiving 54% of support in a potential Republican primary poll while DeSantis garnered 25% of support.