![\"Republican](\"https:\/\/d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net\/img\/c800x450-w800-q60\/uploads\/2023\/05\/zumaamericasthirtyseven439139-800x450.jpg\")
<\/picture> <\/div>\nAfter months of speculation\u2014and some brief technical difficulties\u2014Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made it official: He’s running for president.<\/strong><\/p>\n DeSantis filed the necessary paperwork<\/a> with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday afternoon and launched his campaign by joining Elon Musk for a Twitter Spaces interview a few hours later. The rollout was a bit rocky<\/a>: DeSantis’ speech was delayed for about 20 minutes as Twitter navigated issues apparently caused by too many users jamming into the virtual room. “The servers are straining somewhat,” Musk said at one point. For much of that time, users (those who weren’t dropped from the Space) heard a combination of silence, hold music, and intermittent crosstalk.<\/p>\n Once he got going, however, DeSantis rattled through a shortened version of the stump speech that he’s been workshopping at conservative confabs around the country for the past several months\u2014stressing his military background, his gubernatorial record of attacking anything deemed “woke,” and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback,” he promised.<\/p>\n After first half hour of disaster, it was an awkward speech\/podcast hybrid. But DeSantis was able to give long substantive answers on issues he wants to highlight: COVID, education, immigration, big tech. We'll see how they play in formats\/news cycles that aren't this.<\/p>\n — Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) May 24, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n