‘Ron DeSantis for President’ begins sending texts to supporters

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ team just dropped its strongest hint yet that the governor is running for president.

First lady Casey DeSantis tweeted a video Tuesday night hyping her husband’s expected entry into the 2024 race. At the end of the message, supporters were encouraged to text a phone number.

“Thank you for subscribing to receive texts from Ron DeSantis for President,” the number texted back. “Pre-Launch status: PENDING.”

No committee called “Ron DeSantis for President” had filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission as of early Tuesday evening. But multiple national outlets reported Tuesday that DeSantis was set to announce he’s running for president live in a Twitter conversation at 6 p.m. Wednesday with billionaire Elon Musk.

The text message adds to months of evidence that DeSantis is gearing up for a national run. He released a memoir in late February, began touring key early primary states, and embarked on an international trade mission last month.

A super PAC supporting the campaign of former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination chided DeSantis for his anticipated campaign rollout, which is also expected to include a concerted fundraising effort in Miami later in the week.

“This is one of the most out-of-touch campaign launches in modern history. The only thing less relatable than a niche campaign launch on Twitter, is DeSantis’ after party at the uber elite Four Seasons resort in Miami,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Make America Great Again Inc., wrote in a statement.