DeSantis wrestled with 2018 debate prep on how not to ‘piss off’ Trump voters, recordings obtained by ABC News show

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Washington CNN —

Ron DeSantis wrestled with how to not upset then-President Donald Trump voters during 2018 debate prep sessions in his first campaign for Florida governor, according to videos obtained by ABC News.

In the videos, which have not been independently reviewed by CNN, the former congressman can be seen discussing how to answer a mock question if there are any issues on which he disagrees with Trump. The question was thrown at him by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who participated in the mock sessions.

Obviously there is, I mean, I voted contrary to him in the Congress, DeSantis said in the video. He added, I have to frame it in a way that’s not going to piss off all of his voters.

DeSantis then said he was doing what he thought was right and that he supported Trumps agenda but added that any disagreements he had with the then-president he would raise privately.

Dave Abrams, a spokesman for DeSantis’ political group, blasted ABC News in a statement and said the footage proved Ron DeSantis doesn’t want to be anyone but his true self even when it comes to politics.

Gaetz, who has endorsed Trumps 2024 campaign, condemned the leak of the tapes in a tweet on Sunday.

The exchange captured on video shows how DeSantis strategized on how to embrace Trump and woo his voters while also maintaining his own political identity. It’s a challenge the Florida governor is likely to face as he approaches a potential 2024 campaign against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

In another clip aired by ABC News, off-camera counselors can be heard talking to DeSantis about the importance of being likable and telling her to write the word likable in all caps on a pad of paper on the debate podium.

I do the same thing, cause I have the same personality, were both aggressive, the unidentified adviser can be heard saying.

Trump and his allies are treating the Republican governor as if he were already the candidate. Make America Great Again Inc., a Trump-aligned super PAC, spent about $8.6 million on ads following DeSantis. GOP primary polls continue to show Trump leading DeSantis by a healthy margin.

During a recent international trade mission, a reporter in Tokyo asked DeSantis about voting for Trump ahead of him. DeSantis visibly tensed before responding, I’m not a candidate, so see if and when that changes.

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