Yeah I don’t buy it - if trump was the runner up, I could totally see him running as an independent, but I don’t see it for DeSantis, and even if he tried, I don’t think he has the base anymore to actually pull it off.

You need the kind of blind adoration that Trump (for some reason) has in his following to make a 3rd party bid remotely feasible, DeSantis just doesn’t inspire that in people.

Out best hope for a split conservative base was DeSantis winning the primaries and Trump switching to independent (because he’s absolutely stubborn and prideful enough to do it), I don’t see it happening the other way around

I think the idea is that if Tump didn’t get the nomination he would run as an independent and hold the party hostage.

Yes. Trump has literally said he won’t adhere to the results of the primary and will run regardless.