IN MARCH 2023 a reporter asked Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, about an impending indictment of Donald Trump in New York. “I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,” the then presidential candidate said. Mr DeSantis was trying to subtly argue that he could deliver similar policies without the drama that Mr Trump brought. But the former president was indicted soon afterwards—and only increased his lead over Mr DeSantis in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Last week, after Mr Trump was convicted, Mr DeSantis (who has since endorsed Mr Trump) said the candidate was the victim of “the political agenda of some kangaroo court”.