Jeb Bush throws support behind Ron DeSantis challenge to Trump

Brady Knox

February 27, 06:20 PM February 27, 06:20 PM

Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL) heaped praise on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), backing him as a model candidate for the White House.

In a WHD News special, Bush said DeSantis should run for higher office, arguing that it was time for a "generational change" in politics.

RON DESANTIS SAYS HE CAN REPEAT 19-POINT WIN NATIONALLY

“Who better to do it than someone who’s been outside of Washington, who’s governed effectively, who I think has shown that Florida can be a model for the future of our country,” Bush said when asked if DeSantis should run for president.

“He’s been a really effective governor. He’s young. I think we’re on the verge of a generational change in our politics — kind of hope so. I think it’s time for a more forward-leaning, future-oriented conversation, our politics, as well,” he added.

Bush compared DeSantis favorably to his father, former President George H.W. Bush, relating how they had both played baseball. He also gave him an "A" ranking for how he performed during crises.

DeSantis received support from Bush, who has a well-known dislike of former President Donald Trump, who quashed Bush's presidential aspirations in 2016 and heavily disparaged his brother, former President George W. Bush. Trump announced his candidacy in November.

DeSantis hasn't announced his candidacy but is expected to do so over the summer.

How Biden's sneaky trip to Ukraine came together

Misty Severi

February 20, 09:02 PM February 20, 09:02 PM

President Joe Biden's "surprise" trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday was actually months in the making, U.S. officials revealed to Politico.

The president traveled to Kyiv to reaffirm his “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity” amid Ukraine's conflict with Russia and ahead of the war's one-year anniversary.

SEE IT: BIDEN VISITS UKRAINE AHEAD OF ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSIAN INVASION

“Coming over, the president was very focused on making sure he made the most of his time on the ground, which he knew was going to be limited,” Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, told reporters. “He was excited about making the trip.”

The unprecedented journey was organized through a handful of people across multiple agencies, including the White House chief of staff’s office, the National Security Council, the White House military office, the Pentagon, the Secret Service, and the intelligence community. The White House itself did not address the president's travel until he had safely arrived in Poland.

The trip itself started at 4:15 a.m. Saturday, when the president departed Joint Base Andrews to fly to Germany and then Poland. From Poland, Biden boarded an eight-car train for the overnight trip into Ukraine.

He arrived just after 8 a.m. Monday, according to Politico. Biden is expected to return to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

The trip included a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the unveiling of a new aid package to Ukraine that's valued at $500 million.

Jonathan Finer, the deputy national security adviser, served as the logistical point man for the trip. The final decision to go to Ukraine was not made until Friday after the president met with his national security team in the Oval Office.

“His security team was able to bring risk to a manageable level, and that was what ultimately led him to make the call to go,” Sullivan said. “He got a full presentation of a very good and very effective operational security plan. He heard that presentation, he was satisfied that the risk was manageable, and he ultimately made the determination.”

The White House informed Russia of Biden's visit to Ukraine ahead of time, Sullivan said, in an attempt to avoid conflict.

The rest of Biden's European trip is expected to take place in Poland, where he will make a speech. However, other members of the Biden administration are visiting other countries across Eurasia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Greece.

Newsom insists he will not challenge Biden in 2024 despite speculation

Asher Notheis

November 26, 09:29 AM November 26, 09:29 AM

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) will not challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic candidacy in the 2024 presidential election despite much speculation that he will run.

Newsom's decision regarding the next presidential election comes after he won reelection in California's gubernatorial election on Nov. 8. In July, Newsom made a visit to the White House while Biden was out of the United States, adding fuel to the speculation of a challenge to the presidency.

'THIS IS A GUY WHO THINKS HE'S FDR': KELLYANNE CONWAY PREDICTS BIDEN WILL RUN IN 2024

“I’ve told everyone in the White House, from the chief of staff to the first lady,” Newsom told Politico.

In the event that Biden faces off against former President Donald Trump, Newsom said he believes that Biden could “beat him again,“ adding that he hopes Biden runs and would "enthusiastically support him.”

During a victory speech Newsom made after winning reelection, the California governor discussed how the state's leadership had "affirmed clearly with conviction that we are a true freedom state” and compared himself favorably to Republican governors, including the one “flying migrants to an island.” The reference was seemingly aimed at Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), seen by many as a strong contender for the Republicans in the 2024 election.

Trump is the only candidate who has announced his run in the next presidential election, which he announced on Nov. 15. DeSantis has not made any announcement regarding 2024, but rumors of a rivalry with the former president have spread in recent months.

Other Republicans considered to be possible contenders for 2024 include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Biden, who turned 80 years old on Sunday, has not announced if he will run for reelection, though he has said he intends to run again. In an early exit poll conducted on Nov. 8, two-thirds of voters said they do not want Biden to seek reelection in 2024, according to CBS News.

Sen. Tom Cotton not running for president in 2024

Shana Donahue

November 07, 12:43 AM November 07, 01:23 AM

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) will not seek the presidency in 2024.

The senator recently reached out to donors, supporters, and senior Republicans to let them know about his decision not to launch a presidential campaign, sources told Politico.

DESANTIS LAYS CLAIM TO A ‘FREE’ FLORIDA WITH TRUMP IN HIS BACKYARD AS 2024 SHOWDOWN LOOMS

Cotton, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said his family was the main reason for the decision, noting a national campaign would take him away from his sons, ages 7 and 5, according to the sources.

The Arkansas Republican has been on the campaign trail, having made numerous stops throughout the country rallying support for Republican candidates running in the midterm elections. Recent visits include Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Georgia.

“I always enjoy hearing what normal Americans across the country have to say, what issues are animating them, what’s driving them in their communities, their states, their regions,” Cotton said during a recent interview with the Washington Examiner.

Had he decided to run for president, Cotton could have faced possible primary challenges from former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

A source close to Trump’s inner circle said the former president could possibly announce his intentions for 2024 the week of Nov. 14, according to reports.