Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday his endorsements won Ron DeSantis the Florida governor’s seat. But he said DeSantis, now seen as Trump’s primary rival for the GOP presidential nomination, could have been more gracious.

Trump spoke exclusively to NewsNation about DeSantis, midterms and election integrity. The full interview with NewsNation’s Markie Martin will air at 6 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. CT on NewsNation. Use our Channel Finder page here to learn how to watch NewsNation.

“I’m a civil rights activist — why are you doing this to me?” bleated a supporter of Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist as security removed him from his preferred candidate’s only debate against Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis last week.

Crist’s unenviable task has been to convince Floridians that they are worse off now than they were four years ago, or to explode some wedge issue that would bring a game-changing eruption to his sagging campaign.

COVID-19 still looms large in Florida's gubernatorial race and helped shape Gov. Ron DeSantis' image on the national political stage. Political analysts say DeSantis' handling of the pandemic may have benefitted him in his reelection campaign.

In March of 2020, as the pandemic was unfolding, DeSantis joined governors across the U.S. in announcing shutdowns in the state. But the effort to keep the public safe also meant shuttering schools and squeezing people's ability to make a living.

Another pollster has Gov. Ron DeSantis up by double digits on Democrat Charlie Crist. But Victory Insights found Florida Republicans split on whether he or Donald Trump should be the GOP nominee for President.

Former President Donald Trump's political shadow looms large over Florida, but Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is stepping out from under it as he seeks reelection this year and possibly the 2024 Republican presidential nomination later.

When Election Day arrives in Florida, Donald Trump will vote for a Republican whose political demise he may soon find himself plotting.

Months after Trump told The Wall Street Journal he would support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ bid for reelection, the former President and his home-state governor appear increasingly likely to collide in a heated 2024 presidential primary. While neither has formally announced a presidential campaign, both have taken steps in the closing days of the 2022 cycle to cement themselves as team players and kingmakers – locking horns in those pursuits.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has long teased a potential 2024 presidential bid, and this week, the Republican provided the clearest evidence yet that he would run for the White House during his debate with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist.

"Why don't you look in the eyes of the people of the state of Florida and say to them if you're reelected, you will serve a full four-year term as governor?" Crist asked DeSantis on Monday night. "Yes or no?"

Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis got a boost in his reelection effort against now-Democrat but one-time Republican Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday when 37 of Crist's former colleagues published a letter endorsing DeSantis for a second term.

"The undersigned represent former colleagues and staff of Charlie Crist," the letter said. "The choice this November could not be more clear: we unanimously endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for reelection."

In a night filled with insults, a jeering crowd, and two candidates who found little common ground, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist shared the stage for the first and only time of the 2022 gubernatorial campaign Monday.

Although both candidates shook hands at the debate’s conclusion, the barbs jabbed at each other are set to linger for the next two weeks until Election Day on Nov. 8.