Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is trying to mend relations with his primary rival, former President Trump, as he considers his next political move, including a possible return to the White House in 2028. Measures are being taken towards this goal.
DeSantis met privately with Trump in Miami over the weekend, marking his first conversation with the former president since withdrawing from the White House race following disastrous losses in early voting states.
The meeting underscores the need for Mr. DeSantis to mend his relationship with Mr. Trump if he intends to run for another office in the future, which many say is likely.
“This is a win-win,” said Florida Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “Trump can use as many powerful fundraisers and powerful messengers as possible. I think benefiting from Trump bodes well for DeSantis’ political future.”
“It’s really that simple,” he added.
Florida Republicans say the pair’s union was somewhat expected, but badly needed given the political climate leading up to the general election.
“As a Republican who wants to see our party come together to defeat Joe Biden, I’m glad that our two former opponents were able to meet in person,” said Florida Republican Party Strategist Justin Safey. Ta.
The former president confirmed the meeting in a post on Truth Social on Monday, saying he was “extremely pleased” to have DeSantis’ “full and enthusiastic support.”
“The main focus of our conversation was how we can work closely together to make America great again,” Trump wrote. “Florida’s future was also discussed, which is great! We are so grateful for Ron’s help in taking our country back from the worst president in American history. November 5th is a big day! !!”
The meeting signaled a thaw in the previously frosty relationship between Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, which hit a new low following Mr. DeSantis’ decision to challenge Mr. Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. There is. Trump relentlessly targeted DeSantis during the primary campaign, labeling him as “Desanctimonious.”
But DeSantis and Trump weren’t always rivals on the campaign trail. The Florida governor tied up with the president in his first gubernatorial election in 2018 and campaigned for President Trump’s re-election in 2020. By then, Mr. DeSantis was already considered a rising star in the Republican Party, and his response had drawn praise from conservatives, including Mr. Trump. coronavirus pandemic.
By the time the 2022 midterm elections roll around, President Trump and his allies will be keeping a close eye on DeSantis, who oversees Florida’s Republican campaign success, as a blue wave sweeps through much of the rest of Florida. was.
By the time Mr. DeSantis officially launched his presidential campaign in May 2023, some observers had speculated that he would surpass Mr. Trump as the new Republican standard-bearer.
But ultimately, the former governor’s campaign failed to live up to expectations. He faced constant negative press coverage for his often stilted performance on the campaign trail, and consistently trailed Trump in polls leading up to the Iowa caucuses.
After finishing second to Trump by a wide margin in Iowa, he withdrew from the race just days before the New Hampshire primary, leaving many wondering what the 45-year-old governor would do next. .
“I think Mr. DeSantis really hurt himself in terms of his future with that campaign,” said one Republican strategist. “The best way for him to reinvigorate and reinvigorate his brand is to become as close to Trump as possible.”
And the two men have much in common: they come from the same Republican camp and share a support base of voters and donors.
“There’s also a lot of crossover between President Trump’s donors and Governor DeSantis’ donors,” O’Connell said.
Republican donor Dan Everhart supported Mr. DeSantis during the Republican primary, but switched support to Mr. Trump after the governor’s decision to resign.
“No governor has accomplished more for the conservative cause than Governor DeSantis,” Everhart said. “If Trump hadn’t run, DeSantis would have been the candidate.”
DeSantis’ supporters argue that his fundraising ability and star power among conservatives will ultimately be a big factor in rallying and unifying conservatives heading into November.
Recent polls show Trump narrowly leading President Biden, but the former president lags the current president in fundraising. Biden ended last quarter with $155 million in the bank, compared to Trump’s $42 million. But last quarter’s filings suggested that Mr. Trump and his allies were working to close the gap with Mr. Biden.
“Trump’s fundraising numbers could certainly give DeSantis a boost,” Everhart said.
The detente between Trump and DeSantis in South Florida comes as Democrats increasingly focus on the Sunshine State as part of a broader electoral map strategy. Vice President Harris is scheduled to visit the state this week to highlight the state’s six-week abortion ban that DeSantis signed and will soon take effect.
Although most Republicans argue that Democrats are unlikely to win Florida, the strategy of targeting the state has led Republicans to spend money there when they can target other states. Become. Some Republicans argue that a show of unity between Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, who call Florida home, could help offset those efforts.
“Right now in Florida, at least at this stage, Republicans are marching in lockstep,” O’Connell said. “I think [Democrats] They were looking for a crack in the armor, and in Florida, at least this cycle, they definitely couldn’t find it. ”
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