DeSantis backers show support at pre-Republican debate rally in Fla.: ‘Trump’s day is done’

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — They’re keeping DeFaith.

Unbowed by anemic polls, dithering donors and campaign reshuffles, backers of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told The Post at a festive Monday rally that they’re not budging from the Republican candidate’s corner.

Back on home terrain after criss-crossing early voting states, DeSantis was feted by hundreds of raucous supporters at The Gulf restaurant on the Fort Walton Beach waterfront, his last big event ahead of Wednesday’s GOP primary debate in Milwaukee.

As drinks flowed, Lynyrd Skynyrd blared and chips were dipped in the sweltering Florida heat, the White House hopeful’s rank-and-file proponents insisted they expect DeSantis to ultimately emerge from the Republican pack.

Loyalists dismissed ominous polling numbers that show former President Donald Trump leading the Republican field by more than 40 percentage points and upstart Vivek Ramaswamy nipping at DeSantis’ heels for second place.

“I think polls are like statistics — you can make them say whatever you want to depending on who you talk to,” said local Deeann Westover, who lauded both DeSantis’ performance as governor and his unapologetic conservatism.

“Polls are political,” another booster said. “The only poll I trust comes from talking to people and getting a feeling of where they stand firsthand. I don’t trust any polls — if they’re in favor of DeSantis or not.”

Others echoed that sentiment — drawing parallels to most 2016 polls, which showed Trump losing to Hillary Clinton in that year’s presidential election.

Attendee Bryan Creager said that fixating on surveys at this stage of the campaign is folly.

“I think it’s early,” he said. “I think it’s always early when you’re going into the debates.”

DeSantis didn’t mention Trump by name during his remarks, but appeared to take an indirect shot at his nemesis by arguing that the governor prioritizes results over bluster.

“You have to follow through on what you said you were going to do,” he said. “People that run for office — that’s Republicans and Democrats — they overpromise and they underdeliver. And that’s been true for my entire life. I would challenge you to show me anybody — present company excluded — who can show me otherwise.”

Many attendees were hesitant to discuss the increasingly caustic feud between the two men, with most asking that their names not be used.

“He’s the superior candidate,” a DeSantis supporter said of the Florida governor. “Look at the body of work. Look at the personality. It’s one thing to be a powerful, ego-driven leader and that’s fine. You need powerful, strong men and women in leadership positions. But Ron is thoughtful, he’s policy-driven, he’s common-sense.”

Without exception, those interviewed said they voted for Trump twice — but have since tired of what they viewed as his chaotic aura and growing legal entanglements.

“I think that they both have a lot of the same things that they stand for,” said Melissa Davison. “I love that DeSantis has more discipline with his speaking. He can get done what he wants to get done — but he has common sense, morality, ethics. I like Trump, I like what he did for the country. But he has to talk to the people a little better.”

Creager said Trump’s electability was his primary concern.

“I think Trump’s day is done,” he said. “He was a great president. He couldn’t put down the phone. He’s got too many issues ahead of him. I watched DeSantis lead this state — whether through COVID, hurricanes, wildfires — he’s done an awesome job. We remained free through the whole thing and I think his time is now.”

Others tackled Trump’s searing portrayal of DeSantis as a camouflaged RINO — or Republican in name only.

“I think that’s baloney,” said a father of three who brought his kids to the rally. “Look at who Trump hired time and time again in his administration. You want to talk about RINOs? Look at who he had in his administration.”

DeSantis will take the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee alongside Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Trump opted out of the event, instead recording an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that is expected to air opposite the debate on X, formerly known as Twitter.