Donald Trump spoke Friday to a crowd of adoring fans at this year’s NRA convention, receiving cheers from the crowd in a speech where he touted himself as a champion of guns and the Second Amendment. He also vowed to continue to be that champion should he win his old job back in 2024.

TRUMP: "I was proud to be the most pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment President you've ever had in the White House…and with your support in 2024, I will be your loyal friend and fearless champion once again as the 47th President of the United States." pic.twitter.com/69FQNZCZDc

— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) April 14, 2023

But while Trump was preparing to give that speech, a political action committee aligned with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis released an ad attacking Trump for siding with Democrats on the issue of guns throughout his presidency. It cites his talking points and how closely they resemble the talking points of Democrats like Chris Murphy and Kamala Harris. It also pointed out Trump’s praise for Dianne Feinstein and others.

Trump promised @NRA members he'd have their back.

But when #2A rights came under attack, Trump abandoned us and sided with liberal Democrats in support of gun control. https://t.co/vvc5QAgR42 pic.twitter.com/MEvwVETiXG

— Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) April 14, 2023

And it’s true: Trump’s actions on gun control during his presidency were not extremely popular with the gun rights crowds, and the NRA itself criticized his bump stock ban after the shocking Las Vegas shooting that took place during the last administration.

“Half of you are so afraid of the NRA,” Trump says in a clip highlighted in the ad. “We have to fight them every once in a while, that’s OK. Some of you people are petrified of the NRA. You can’t be petrified. They have great power over you people. They have less power over me. I don’t need them. What do I need?”

In his speech yesterday, though, Trump told the crowd that the radical left, including Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, “is also waging war on the NRA, shamefully trying to destroy this legendary organization.”

The ad itself reveals the battle that will inevitably take place if Ron DeSantis jumps in, with both politicians seeking to capture the conservative base that Trump had held onto for so long. Attacking from Trump’s right means that DeSantis supporters continue to show that Donald Trump isn’t so much a conservative as someone who just plays really well to whoever his base is at the time.

This fight also comes on the heels of a speech DeSantis gave earlier this week in Ohio, when he pointed out that Republicans have “developed a culture of losing.”

Fla. @GovRonDeSantis this a.m. in Akron, Ohio: "Politics is not entertainment, it’s not about building a brand on social media … It’s about delivering results." He also noted Fla GOP big victory in November & media coverage of Fla Dems demise. "That's what you call winning."

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) April 13, 2023

DeSantis continued that Republicans nationally have "developed a culture of losing. I think that needs to end. No more excuses. Just get it done so we can save our country."

— Gary Fineout (@fineout) April 13, 2023

As my colleague Mike Miller noted recently, the current scenario puts DeSantis “between a rock and a hard place.”

While DeSantis’ public stances so far have closely aligned with those of Trump — although he’s taken a more skeptical view of COVID vaccinations than Trump — he risks alienating “traditional” Republicans, which remains the largest bloc of the GOP (contrary to the beliefs of “MAGA”), if he remains too close to Trump’s positions.

By the same token, if DeSantis attacks Trump one-tenth as much as Trump continues to attack him, Trump loyalists promptly lose their minds. I know; hypocrisy is unbecoming.

So, what’s DeSantis to do, if he does run — with all signs pointing to “I’m in”?

DeSantis, so far, appears content with siphoning away former Trump supporters by showing that while he’s “just as tough as Trump,” he’s not saddled with the former president’s baggage and constant drama. Is it a winning strategy? It’s too early to tell, although a February Quinnipiac poll found both Trump and DeSantis with 37 percent favorable ratings, but in stark contrast, Trump was minus-22 percent — 57 percent to 35 percent — unfavorable, compared to DeSantis.

It is a very delicate dance, but one that DeSantis cannot officially perform until he has declared his candidacy – something everyone expects to see happen soon, but few know when.

You also need to keep in mind that while we’re seeing shades of a campaign strategy emerge, none of them are from DeSantis’ official team. They are notoriously leak-proof, and that in and of itself appears to be frustrating the hell out of everyone from the mainstream media to the Trump campaign. They can’t get a handle on DeSantis because no one is telegraphing his moves.