In the world of politics, low blows can come from the most unexpected of places, as the teams of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis recently demonstrated in their latest feud surrounding a peculiar event. The setting? A traditional Basque Fry event in Nevada, where the highlight of the menu happens to be fried lamb testicles, affectionately known as “lamb fry.”
Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, drew some sharp criticism from Chris LaCivita, a campaign operative for Trump when he revealed his plans to attend the event. LaCivita, seizing the opportunity to add some punch to the political boxing match, jestingly commented about DeSantis’s decision, “Not surprised Ron DeSantis is looking for a set of balls.”
DeSantis’s camp was quick to respond, their rebuttal suggesting that the Trump team’s fascination with men’s genitalia was more unsettling than a so-called “woke grooming book.” Erin Perrine, a spokeswoman for DeSantis’s Never Back Down PAC, was the voice behind this biting comeback.
The event, backed by former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, has stirred some controversy given Laxalt’s past political setbacks and his known preference for DeSantis as a presidential candidate. LaCivita, not one to hold his punches, commented, “So Adam Laxalt, who lost the governor’s race in ’18 and lost the Senate race in ’22, is lecturing President Trump? That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
Despite this heated exchange, current polling suggests that the race for the Republican Party’s presidential primary isn’t particularly tight. According to RealClearPolitics, Trump has a hefty lead, with an aggregate of primary polls showing him more than 31 percentage points ahead. Some polls even report that Trump secures an outright majority of support from Republican voters.
Interestingly, the lamb fry served at the Basque Fry isn’t merely a whimsical culinary choice. It’s an integral part of Basque culture, to which the Laxalt family traces its roots. The origins of the Basque Fry can be traced back to Paul Laxalt, Adam Laxalt’s grandfather, who was a former GOP Nevada governor, senator, and a close friend of Ronald Reagan.
While the nature of politics means that heated debates and exchanges are par for the course, this latest tussle over a lamb fry event showcases just how unexpected the political arena can sometimes be. As the campaign teams continue their verbal jousting, the rest of us will be keeping a close watch on this dynamic and occasionally eccentric political landscape.
