Keep in mind, it may also be to insulate Ron.

Neither side knows DeSantis' allegiances for sure. Only he, himself, knows.

Which means, if he is on Trump's side, or at least the Cabal perceives him beyond their control, he is a liability and therefore must be terminated as soon as possible.

That's dangerous for DeSantis, so he has to play both sides by necessity. If he looks too cozy with Trump, it means he's more dangerous to the Cabal, and then they'll try to off him.

Therefore, Trump's best play, if either DeSantis is or isn't on his side, is to throw him under the bus. 1 - to take him out of the spotlight (and sniper fire) and 2- to keep him at arms length if he does turn out to be a filthy traitor with a dagger stashed in his sleeve.

DeSantis has to be out of the way for 2024. Trump has built too much up to risk it. I'd wager that if DeSantis is in the primaries, it's because Trump allowed him to be there. What Trump did in 2016 (fool the establishment), DeSantis could do just the same.