While not an unexpected announcement, Republican Ron DeSantis formally presented his candidacy for the 2024 United States presidential election on Wednesday.

The Florida governor formalized the candidacy in a document delivered to the Federal Election Commission hours before the launch of his campaign during a meeting with Elon Musk broadcast on Twitter.

“This is the first time we’re experiencing something like this on a social network,” Musk said of DeSantis’ chosen format.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs bill banning sex reassignment surgery for children

The tech tycoon promised “real-time, unprepared questions and answers,” but dismissed that conversation as a show of support for Florida’s governor.

The 44-year-old governor sees himself as an alternative to former President Donald Trump, who has also expressed his intention to run for the Republican nomination.

Unknown until 2018, DeSantis won the Florida gubernatorial election with Trump’s backing. He is a supporter of conservative policies on education, abortion and immigration.

He was re-elected in November 2022. Numerous polls give the former president a wide advantage over the governor, though these results should be taken with caution as the primary is still months away.

“Announcing his candidacy on Twitter is perfect for DeSantis. That way you don’t have to deal with anyone,” one of Trump’s advisers joked in an interview with AFP.

Also slated to represent the Republican party are Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Asa Hutchinson, Vivek Ramaswamy and Larry Elder.

The winner of those primaries will face the Democratic Party’s chosen candidate, most likely President Joe Biden, in November 2024.