Former President Donald Trump said Monday that he had a “great meeting” over the weekend with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is one of Trump’s former chief rivals and who he has relentlessly criticized in recent months.
“I am very pleased to have the full and enthusiastic support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The former president said Steve Witkoff, a longtime Trump ally and real estate mogul, arranged the meeting.
“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! !!”
Trump likely won’t need DeSantis’ help to win Florida in November, but the Florida governor has powerful donors and supporters who could help the former president face off against President Biden. there is a possibility.
DeSantis is believed to be eyeing the 2028 presidential race, and patching things up with Trump is likely to benefit his future prospects.
The meeting marked the first time the two have spoken directly since a bitter primary campaign in which Trump repeatedly attacked the Florida governor’s character and policies until DeSantis suspended his campaign after the Iowa caucuses.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly called the governor “Desanctimonious” and complained that Mr. DeSantis did not value his support enough during the 2018 Florida gubernatorial race. Regarding his policies, President Trump accused DeSantis of copying his ideas.
Mr. DeSantis suspended his campaign in January and endorsed Mr. Trump, but the sniping did not stop. After Mr. DeSantis reportedly aired complaints about Mr. Trump on a call with his supporters, Mr. Trump aide Chris Lacivita said Mr. DeSantis “sad little man”
DeSantis avoided directly attacking Trump in the early months of the campaign, but by the end of the campaign the Florida governor told supporters that Trump had “lost his fastball momentum.” ”, said he was not the candidate who united the party in 2016. And 2020.
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