I see two major possibilities (there are probably more)It's stunning that an election just took place and every headline, op-ed and analysis is about a guy that wasn't on a ticket anywhere. He's been out of office for two years but, "he's the reason we lost!". Net gain of republicans in congress and senate but, "he's the reason we lost!". There was suppose to be a 'red wave' but it didn't occur because, "Trump!". What is the metric by which one measures a 'red wave'? If just one more R candidate had won office, would that have been enough to qualify as a red wave? If ten more had won? How does one quantify a red wave? Trump isn't what ailes our country.
1) Trump is the best boogie man to rile up the Dem base, DeSantis hasn't achieved that status yet and might not unless he is the candidate
2) Trump is still the potential candidate they fear the most, because if he is coming then hell is coming with him