Celebrities React to Ron DeSantis Dropping Out of Presidential Race

Ron DeSantis' announcement that he was dropping out of the presidential primaries on Sunday has prompted several famous faces to comment on the Florida governor's exit.

The 45-year-old took to X, formerly Twitter, to break the news, while endorsing his on-again-off-again friend Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

"Trump is superior to the current incumbent [President] Joe Biden, that is clear," DeSantis said in the 4-minute video, before taking a stab at his former rival and primary candidate Nikki Haley.

The Republican has made a number of friends and enemies throughout his political career, many of whom had lots of say about his decision to withdraw.

Newsweek has reached out to DeSantis for comment via email.

What Did Caitlyn Jenner Say About DeSantis?

Although she had previously praised his "free and open" approach to COVID-19 safety measures, Caitlyn Jenner is now a vocal critic of DeSantis.

The 74-year-old accused the politician of hitting "a new low" in July, blasting his campaign's "horribly divisive tactics."

Jenner came out as a transgender woman in 2015. Although her remarks on the LGBTQ+ community have sparked backlash, the former Olympian criticized a DeSantis campaign video targeting transgender people last summer.

The video, shared by The DeSantis War Room X account, features images of the gold medal winner, along with past quotes of Trump saying he would be happy for Jenner to use any of the bathrooms at Trump Tower.

Anti-LGBTQ+ policies have been an integral part of DeSantis's platform, with the Jacksonville native defending the video during several TV appearances.

Jenner commented on a video of DeSantis' interview with Fox News host Bret Baier in August, in which the politician once again defended the controversial clip.

"You're still defending your bizarre anti-gay ad," the reality TV star said on X, before asking: "Which bathroom should I use?"

In September, Trump campaign spokesman Stephen Cheung mocked DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw on X, calling her an "amateur."

Jenner appeared to agree with Cheung's assessment, posting a line of laughing face emojis.

Jenner has intermittently supported Trump over the years and has confirmed she will be voting for him in 2024 if he lands the nomination. The 77-year-old business mogul has been the frontrunner for months, despite being removed from the ballot in Colorado and Maine and facing numerous felony charges.

Jenner recently puzzled fans with her rewrite of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with MAGA-friendly lyrics—particularly as the post was written in July.

Newsweek has reached out to Jenner for comment via email.

Gavin Newsom announces 'fire sale'

Gavin Newsom and DeSantis have been publicly feuding for several years. The California governor has condemned many of DeSantis' policies, including his stances on gun safety, COVID-19 safety measures and migration, while the Republican has accused California of "being too liberal."

The pair duked it out on Fox News in December, with moderator Sean Hannity having to step in several times during the heated debate.

Shortly after DeSantis announced his withdrawal from the primaries on Sunday, Newsom took to social media to mock the decision.

"Fire sale on all Ron DeSantis merch today!" the 56-year-old wrote on X, with the post receiving 5.8 million views overnight.

Newsweek has reached out to Newsom for comment via email.

Candace Owens sends warning

Candace Owens described DeSantis's withdrawal as "great news" on X on Sunday. However, the conservative commentator also called DeSantis a "great governor" and praised his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while firing a warning about Haley.

In 2023, DeSantis dubbed the federal government's guidance "a mistake," claiming that Florida's decision to ban vaccine and mask mandates was the right decision.

Despite her recent praise, Owens has criticized DeSantis in the past and condemned his world trip in April, calling it "inappropriate" to travel so often while serving in office.

During an appearance on the Valuetainment podcast in October, Owens said that DeSantis has a "personality problem."

"He looks uncomfortable on stage, he snaps at his donors," the 34-year-old said. "He's trying now as he's running to force this different personality, where he's like smiling and it makes me uncomfortable."

Owens also hit out at Haley, describing the former U.N. ambassador as a "Trojan Horse for Democrats."

"I still believe that Vivek's warning about the Left's plan to install Haley should be heeded," the TV show wrote. "It's going to take a united Republican Party that is focused on bringing people together to make that plan an implausibility."

Newsweek has reached out to Owens for comment via email.

John Rich: DeSantis 'assisted the system'

After news that DeSantis was ending his presidential primary campaign broke, John Rich took to X to blast the Florida governor's new endorsement of Trump, claiming his words "ring hollow."

Rich—a country singer and devoted Trump supporter—criticized DeSantis for running against the former president to begin with, telling him: "Shoulda waited till 2028."

"When the guy you just endorsed has been being raided, indicted, spied upon and incessantly beaten with the baton of communism, and you ran against him anyway?" the 50-year-old wrote. "You assisted the system we are trying to take down."

This isn't the first time that Rich has slammed DeSantis' decision to run for the Republican nomination.

"I don't understand the logic of DeSantis running," Rich said on Truth Social in April 2023. "If he won, there wouldn't be one true Trump supporter left that would vote for him and he would be destroyed in a general election.

"This is a losing proposition no matter how you look at it, so why on earth would he voluntarily run head on into the wood chipper?"

Newsweek has reached out to Rich for comment via email.

Megyn Kelly hopes for future run

Despite her loyalty to Trump, Kelly praised DeSantis on X, calling him a "great leader and a class act."

"Hope he finds a way to try again in 2028," the conservative commentator wrote on Sunday.

The 53-year-old also lashed out at Newsom for his takedown of DeSantis, dubbing the California governor a "jerk" with "no class."

Newsweek has reached out to Kelly for comment via email.