Trump and rival DeSantis go head to head at GOP jamboree

DONALD TRUMP’S popularity among Republicans will face a crucial test against his potential rival Ron DeSantis this week as the pair address a conservative conference being viewed as a GOP mini-convention.

Thousands of grassroots conservatives attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) each year. The four-day event in Orlando, Florida will include a “straw poll” of contenders for the next presidential election.

The results will measure Mr Trump’s popularity against the second top 2024 contender, Mr DeSantis. The Florida governor’s star has risen among Republicans with his anti-lockdown, antimandate approach to the pandemic. At 43, Mr DeSantis is considered a future Republican presidential candidate.

Mr Trump and Mr DeSantis’ keynote addresses come amid reports of a rift, with Mr DeSantis refraining from promising to stand aside if the former president runs in 2024. Professor Larry Sabato, of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, said the conference offered Republican candidates an opportunity to tap into Mr Trump’s base.

“They’re gonna take their shot because they have nothing to lose. Trump is 75. And if the field should open up for 2024 because Trump decides not to run or physically isn’t able to then you’re going to have a cast of thousands,” he said.

Other contenders, including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Mr Trump’s former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, plan to take the stage at CPAC.

In last year’s CPAC straw poll, Mr Trump received 55 per cent, with Mr DeSantis on 21 per cent. But only 68 per cent of attendees said they wanted Mr Trump to run again in 2024.

Mr DeSantis finished top in a second straw poll of 2024 contenders that omitted Mr Trump. “It’s gonna be a fantastic crowd,” Mr Trump said in a video ahead of this week’s conference, adding “let’s have fun”.