“‘Florida Man’ is notorious,” exclaimed the Washington Post in 2022. Heading It describes “a person of self-indulgence, decadence, and questionable decisions.” News reports of outrageous, ridiculous, or criminal behavior have given rise to this universal meme.
The future of these six Florida men is explained below. We’ll let you decide if the “Florida Man” meme applies to you. All six are driven by an ultra-MAGA hunger for power and are focused on winning the next big thing. Two senators, two representatives and a governor are engaged in the high-stakes game of pleasing and appeasing their leader, former and likely future president Trump. Let’s start at the top of the pyramid.
Donald J. Trump: Age 78. 45th President of the United States. Elected in 2016 and defeated in 2020. Handily won the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
“I took a bullet for democracy,” Trump said after surviving an assassination attempt on July 13. Whether you agree with this passionate statement or not, it will reverberate through presidential history if he is reelected. Moreover, Trump’s power of appointment and endorsement will affect the dreams and career paths of five other Florida natives.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL): 71 years old — He was elected in 2018 and is seeking reelection. He served as Florida’s governor from 2011 to 2019.
The Florida congressman is up for reelection in November. Meanwhile, if Republicans take control of the Senate, Scott would be running for Senate Majority Leader. If President Trump wins, he will almost certainly take control of the Senate, making it more likely that Scott will succeed retiring Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), an enemy of both Trump and Scott.
Scott’s first attempt to unseat McConnell after the 2022 midterm elections was unsuccessful, losing by a vote of 36-10 despite the backing of President Trump. If he wins, President Trump will no doubt pressure his subordinate Scott to become Senate Majority Leader.
If Trump loses and Republicans take control of the Senate, Scott is unlikely to become majority leader, likely losing to longtime front-runners Sen. John Thune (D-La.) or Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Scott’s fate as McConnell’s successor is tied to Trump’s, and his willingness to retaliate.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL): 53 years old — He was elected in 2010. After Rubio lost the presidential primary in 2016, he was re-elected to the Senate and will run for re-election in 2022. Recently, Rubio was a finalist for President Trump’s running mate, losing to Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
If Trump wins and Republicans take control of the Senate, Rubio’s promotion is imminent. He is vice chairman of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee and would be elevated to chairman. Still, the veteran Florida senator has long been itching to leave the Senate. The Washington Post The article states that Rubio told a friend,[s]”The bill was debated in the Senate. And in May 2016, Rubio is He said he was “frustrated” and that “hate wasn’t the right word.”
So despite losing the 2016 presidential election, Rubio has developed a strong national profile after serving nearly 14 years as a senator and is ready to take on a new title if Trump offers it. Secretary of StateSuch prestigious status could bolster his dream of becoming the first Hispanic president, a goal he still has decades to achieve: In the 2048 election year, Rubio will be 77 years old, younger than Trump, who will be 78.
Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican): 45 years old — After narrowly winning in 2018, DeSantis was seen as the Republican “future president” when he was re-elected by 19 points in 2022. Then came rising expectations, a lackluster 2024 presidential primary and the lowest point of his career. DeSantis was defeated by Trump and remains undiminished as the powerful governor of the third-most populous state.
The next step in DeSantis’ career as a young and ambitious man will likely depend on two “ifs”: If Trump wins and Senator Rubio joins his administration, he’ll need someone to fill the vacant Senate seat that will remain open until the 2026 midterm elections. There’s no rule preventing DeSantis from appointing a senator himself, but a long-term strategy would be better.
Due to term limits, DeSantis would step down in early January 2027, meaning he could appoint a temporary senator who would agree not to run for reelection in 2026. As a sitting governor, DeSantis could then launch a senate campaign, a strategy that then-governor and now-senator Rick Scott used successfully in 2018. As a senator, DeSantis could develop into a national politician and potentially run for president in 2056, when he’s 78 and in line to become a Republican presidential candidate in 2024.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): 42 — Elected in 2016. He is a controversial, legally and ethically questionable Trump cheerleader.
From the stage at the Republican National Convention Gates yelled.“We will live with Donald Trump to the end, to the death,” would be just as valid, but Gaetz is tied to Trump’s right wing, so he won’t say, “I will live with Trump to the death.” Gaetz usually follows the orders of the former president in the House of Representatives, but Questions remain On whether President Trump supported Gaetz’s efforts to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position.
“I’m trying to remake the House in my image,” the never-humble Gaetz said in June. Could he remake himself as a future Speaker? If Trump wins and Republicans keep the House, anything is possible for the Florida native.
Rep. Byron Donald (R-FL): 45 — Selected in 2020.
Donald was born African-American, grew up in New York, went to college in Florida, and never left Florida. He is a follower of Trump’s “MAGA phone,” and Trump has mocked Donald as a running mate. But Donald’s real future depends on whether Trump wins the White House and recommends Donald as a successor to Governor Ron DeSantis in 2026. Byron Donald is also “living or dying” with Donald.
The Florida men have a “sister” in Judge Eileen Cannon, who after dismissing Trump’s Mar-a-Lago documents lawsuit, Gaetz tweeted. Her photo is captioned, “Future Supreme Court Justice Cannon.”
All of Florida’s men and their Supreme Sisters are eagerly awaiting the coronation of King Trump.
Myra Adams He served on the creative teams of two Republican presidential campaigns, in 2004 and 2008.
