DeSantis Explains Why He Hesitated to Raise His Hand During Debate as Show of Support for Trump

Florida Governor says he was uncomfortable with the idea of being asked to perform gestures as a way of expressing his viewpoint about whether he would support the former president even if convicted.

Republican presidential candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Aug. 23, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has explained why he seemed reluctant to raise his hand when, during last week’s Republican primary debate, a moderator asked the candidates to raise their hands if they would support former President Donald Trump even if he was convicted.

One of the more striking moments of the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee was when Fox News moderator Bret Baier asked the candidates to raise their hands if they would support President Trump even if convicted, which came as the former president faces multiple criminal indictments.