Ex-GOP 'rising star' denied convention speaking slot after challenging Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was once dubbed the "future" of Republican politics by the New York Post, is being shut out of a speaking spot at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

USA Today reports that current plans are for DeSantis to be "only on the periphery of the convention" as he "is scheduled to participate in a Moms for Liberty panel discussion and a breakfast with his state delegation."

This is quite the comedown for DeSantis, the culture-warring governor who was lauded for his policy chops by many right-wing publications such as the National Review.

However, DeSantis' presidential campaign, despite receiving massive funding from donors, quickly flopped as he got pummeled by negative attacks by former President Donald Trump, who even went so far as to insinuate that DeSantis was a "groomer."

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DeSantis nonetheless endorsed Trump and and pledged to help him win this year's presidential election.

However, DeSantis at least will get to attend the convention -- USA Today also reports that former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, another 2024 Trump rival, wasn't even invited even though she endorsed Trump and released all of her delegates to him.

"That neither will have a speaking role may be a sign that Trump feels he’s in a strong position within the GOP and doesn’t need to worry about unifying the party," the publication writes. "It also could be a sign of lingering tensions between Trump and his primary rivals. Trump framed both DeSantis’ and Haley’s presidential campaigns as acts of betrayal."