DeSantis Calls Out Trump, Asks If He Has the 'Balls to Show Up' to Third Debate

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called out former President Donald Trump on Thursday, challenging him to show up for the third GOP primary debate.

DeSantis began selling golf balls on his website in a humorous attack on the former president.

DeSantis asks if Trump has the ‘balls to show up’ to the third GOP debate https://t.co/EkDIHOzH5f pic.twitter.com/35G50KvFbK

— New York Post (@nypost) November 3, 2023

"In a tongue-in-cheek merch drop, the DeSantis campaign began selling golf balls with the slogan, 'Ron DeSantis has a pair — he shows up' in a direct taunt at the GOP frontrunner," the New York Post reported.

“I know Donald Trump and a lot of his people have been focusing on things like footwear. I’ll tell you this. You know, if Donald Trump can summon the balls to show up to the debate, I’ll wear a boot on my head,” he stated.

We are not going to win as Republicans by adopting Joe Biden’s basement strategy. I will win the White House by working hard and earning it. pic.twitter.com/z4DPFNtsuj

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 2, 2023

"This isn’t the first time DeSantis’ fundraising has used some edgy merchandise. A beer koozie offered for sale in July leaned into scorn that Dr. Anthony Fauci was prescribing masks to save lives," Florida Politics noted.

“How can I drink a beer with a mask on?” DeSantis is quoted as saying on the koozie.

DeSantis has pushed the edge in his effort to gain traction on Trump in the lead-up to the third GOP debate.

The Florida governor has also focused his efforts on Iowa, hoping to increase his chances in the first primary state to give him momentum ahead of early primary battles.

So far, Trump leads by a wide margin in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, the first three primary states.

The latest effort may make for some good publicity but it is uncertain whether it will do anything to help DeSantis win more voters in his battle with Trump.