In the seven years that have passed, there has been no figure in the Republican Party capable of challenging him for hegemony. Despite the vulnerability of Trump’s rejection among a large part of the US electorate, no one in his party has dared to stand up to him.
That may be about to change.
After the results of last Tuesday’s elections, the Republican Party has, objectively, a new star. It is the governor of Florida, Ron De Santis, who has been in charge of pushing his state to the right until it becomes a conservative bastion.
De Santis’ achievement grows when you look at what he has accomplished with the Hispanic vote in Florida. Added to the traditional Cuban support is the enthusiasm of Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans and other groups for the Republican cause.
The question now is whether De Santis, who has won his re-election comfortably, decides to be the one who finally breaks ranks and stands up to Trump to try to take the Republican candidacy by 2024.
It is unlikely, but not impossible.