Former President Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on Gov. Ron DeSantis as he kicked off his presidential campaign, portraying the Florida governor as a hypocrite who “unapologetically shut down” the state during the early COVID pandemic.

"If he runs, that's fine. I'm way up in the polls," Trump told the Associated Press of a potential DeSantis presidential run

"To me it is, it's always about loyalty," Trump said. "But for a lot of people, it's not about that."

Former President Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on Gov. Ron DeSantis as he kicked off his presidential campaign, portraying the Florida governor as a hypocrite who “unapologetically shut down” the state during the early COVID pandemic.

Recent polls show that DeSantis has begun to surge in favorability among GOP voters while Trump has placed himself opposite key positions held by the base.

Ron DeSantis (R) in the race.“When I hear he might run, I consider that very disloyal,” Trump told reporters Saturday.Trump sought to take credit for DeSantis’ ascent to the governor’s office and questioned polling showing DeSantis defeating him in some of the early primary states.