Trump, DeSantis, and Golf: A Possible Thaw in Relations
This past weekend, an intriguing golf outing took place in Florida, featuring President Donald Trump alongside renowned college football coaches Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, as well as his former rival, Governor Ron DeSantis.
Calling the past tensions between Trump and DeSantis “bad blood” might be an understatement. Their rivalry intensified when DeSantis challenged Trump in the 2023 primary, although there seemed to be a momentary calm before the primary voting in New Hampshire took place.
Watching Trump and DeSantis share a few hours on the golf course, which Mark Twain famously referred to as “a good walk ruined,” raises a few interesting thoughts. Is it possible that DeSantis could play a vital role in the Trump administration after he leaves office next year?
DeSantis is someone Trump could likely trust to handle significant responsibilities within the federal government, thanks to his well-known competence and serious demeanor.
Recently, the political atmosphere has been tense, with a prevailing desire for peace. Following his exit from office in early 2024, the fractures among conservative commentators seem to have healed, and DeSantis could still serve as a crucial figure in promoting Republican unity—despite facing some tough criticism last year.
There appears to be some frustration coming from former DeSantis supporters that the current administration is too accommodating of extreme views. The solution to that might not be to dismiss these concerns outright but rather to strengthen the administration’s credibility.
I’m not entirely sure what DeSantis’ middle name is, but I’d guess it’s “Reliability.” Apart from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, he has arguably managed the COVID-19 pandemic better than most leaders, both in the U.S. and worldwide.
That said, DeSantis has his limitations. While dependable, he doesn’t always captivate an audience. I recall thinking during much of the spring of 2023, “Less talk, more action,” as he prepared for the presidential race.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration currently has a colorful array of personalities and could benefit from having more seasoned talents like Lee Zeldins and Scott Bessent.
Byron York posed an interesting question this week in the Washington Examiner, asking whether it’s time for Trump to refresh his Cabinet. Regardless of one’s stance on this issue, a crucial factor is who in the Senate could be confirmed as new members.
What if Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resigned? I’m not advocating for this, but if it did happen, DeSantis stands out as one of the few prominent Republicans who could pass Senate scrutiny.
At the heart of this golf outing—and the speculation surrounding it—lies the 2028 presidential election. DeSantis is among the few figures still seen positively by the public.
Although early polling shows Vice President J.D. Vance in the lead, especially with Secretary of State Marco Rubio supportive of him, for now, DeSantis remains the most viable Republican candidate not currently aligned with Trump.
From a political standpoint, it might be wise for DeSantis to shy away from any government roles, avoiding the appearance of too much adoration for Trump while still enjoying a prominent position within the party.
So where, realistically, should DeSantis aim for once he leaves office? Whether or not their shared golf day leads to a position in Trump’s administration, it’s generally a positive sight for Republicans to see these two conservative leaders together.
Ultimately, unity is essential for the Republican Party, both for this year’s midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race. DeSantis can embody the qualities of common sense, competence, and American values that the nation desperately needs.
In the end, having strong leadership in Washington is crucial, and DeSantis represents just that. Trump should give serious thought to providing him with a noteworthy platform on a national level.
