Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantisREUTERS

Former President Donald Trump continued to go on the attack against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday, claiming that without his endorsement, the Republican politician would be working at a law firm or “maybe a Pizza Hut.”

Trump also referred to DeSantis as “Ron DeSanctimonious” during the press conference in Davenport, Iowa, Politico reported.

"Remember this: If it weren’t for me, Ron DeSanctimonious would right now be working probably at a law firm or maybe a Pizza Hut, I don’t know,” Trump said.

Later on Monday, Trump made comparisons in a speech between DeSantis, who has not formally announced whether he intends to run in 2024, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, who he termed a “RINO loser.”

Trump also continued to make the claim that DeSantis, widely seen as a GOP primary front-runner if he enters the race, had “begged” him for his endorsement during the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primaries.

Trump added that he now regrets his endorsement of DeSantis, exclaiming that the Florida governor was “dead as a dog” in his primary race against then-Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam until Trump threw his support behind him.

DeSantis is expected to announce the start of his presidential campaign in late May or early June, the Washington Examiner reported.