If the rumors about DeSantis for Sec Def turns out to be serious, the media flap will focus on his “anti-woke” noise and jokes about his white boots etc, but ignore all that. He’s an extremely calculating authoritarian from a state where public corruption is a religion, and as governor he has systematically worked to empower armed forces and hobble civil rights. There’s a name for that mix, and you can guess what it is.
Normally I’d ignore the rumors because Trump’s hobby is teasing and humiliating DeSantis (and part of me thinks DeSantis “doesn’t come here for the hunting,” as that filthy old joke goes), but that could take the form of elevating him to Sec Def only to fire him at some point.
As I’ve reminded people every time the specter of DeSantis rises, he’s desperate: facing term limits as governor, no Senate spots opening up (maybe? see below), the House would be a step down his ultra-ambitious wife would never tolerate, he’s radioactive for education (though maybe less so for a big law job now?), and a think-tank gig would be a road to nowhere). So he’s extra-extra-desperate, which means he’ll agree in advance to do anything and everything Trump demands. And I mean anything and everything.
From Trump’s POV, DeSantis might just be a perfect Sec Def: utterly subservient, reasonably effective, “widely respected in the GOP,” and not just disposable but a wannabe competitor who, sooner or later, will need to be disposed of.
Though I wouldn’t be surprised if DeSantis tries to appoint himself to replace Rubio in the Senate and engineer some handoff of gubernatorial power in FL, as part of some elaborate deal with Trump.