DeSantis and Trump Go to War Over ‘Woke’

‘It’s just a term they use,’ the former president says. ‘Half the people can’t even define it; they don’t know what it is.’

AP/Alex Brandon, file
Governor DeSantis on April 21, 2023, and President Trump on March 4, 2023, at Oxon Hill, Maryland. AP/Alex Brandon, file

President Trump is targeting the term “woke” — a favorite of his rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Governor DeSantis — setting up a war over a word whose appropriation as a slur or virtue signal has undermined our ability to have dialogue on issues.

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Advertisement
The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use