Ron DeSantis has criticised Donald Trump and fellow Republicans for downplaying higher fuel prices caused by the open-ended conflict with Iran, saying they are gaslighting voters.
The outgoing Governor of Florida suggested members of his party had been brushing over higher fuel prices after the United States and Israel attacked the Middle Eastern state in February. His comments come as Republicans suffer major defeats in the midterm elections.
DeSantis on the Iran conflict
Mr DeSantis, who ran against Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, said on the Straight Shooter with Stephen A. podcast: "So here's the thing with Iran and why I think it's been a big, big drag. You know, it was launched. He obviously ran saying he wasn't going to do a Middle East war, where he did."
He added: "We have some of our voters who've checked out because they're like, I didn't want any more Middle East wars and now we're doing it. Had that been wrapped up in like a week — like Venezuela was very quick — people, it probably wouldn't have been an issue right now, right?"
Mr DeSantis said the conflict is having a direct impact on people's finances because they are seeing energy prices go up at the gas pump.
Accusation of gaslighting
Mr DeSantis said some Republicans are telling voters not to worry about gas prices or are trying to blame Joe Biden. He said: "Listen, we just got to be honest. Gas is higher. It hurts people, working class people, and it's higher because of this conflict. That's just the fact. If you can't admit that to voters, then you're gaslighting them, and they're not going to listen to you on other things."
He said Mr Trump has not wanted to do anything leading up to the midterm and questioned what will happen after the midterms to bring the Iran conflict to a conclusion. He said reports have suggested people have told Mr Trump the conflict will drag on for the rest of his presidency.
Mr DeSantis said: "If it drags on for the rest of his presidency, it's going to be devastating to his ability to get anything done and it is going to be very, very difficult for Republicans in the next cycle."
Trump's response
The President has suggested that higher gasoline prices are a short-term price to pay for the conflict. Mr Trump told Fox News, reflecting on the results: "People agree with what I'm doing in Iran, but they really, probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline."
He added: "And you know, I understand that. I don't agree with it, and I would say to people, you know: 'It's a short-term problem but for long-term gain.'"
