Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former rival of Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary, is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Washington Post.
DeSantis joined the bill. NBC Newsclaimed a “scheduling change” had made time for the 45-year-old to speak.
The Washington Post could not independently verify that this was the case, but a senior DeSantis campaign official said, “We have been consistently told there would be time to speak at the convention and nothing else.”
It is unclear which day of the convention DeSantis will speak, as the schedule has not been finalized.
Relations between Florida Governor DeSantis and Trump, 78, have been mending following a bitter primary campaign marked by personal attacks on DeSantis’ height and eating habits.
Ultimately, the 45th president will have the final say in determining who will speak at the convention.
“It was a very smart move after Trump aides and RNC staff foolishly rammed the platform and rules through their respective committees earlier this week,” a source close to the convention preparations told The Washington Post.
“Yes, this convention is about nominating Trump, but ultimately it’s the Republican convention,” the person added. “Both parties have a long tradition of representing their opponents and other factions of the party to symbolize that the parties are indeed united.”
DeSantis dropped out of the 2024 race on Jan. 21 after losing by a wide margin to Trump in the Iowa caucuses. The Florida governor dropped out of running to be Trump’s running mate the following month and indicated he would seek the presidency again in 2028.
At the time, the Trump campaign was not amused, seeing it as self-promotion by a defeated rival.
“Ron DeSantis lost the presidential election disastrously and has no say in selecting the next vice president of the United States,” spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt told The Washington Post at the time. “Instead of making sleazy attacks from afar, Ron should fire Joe Biden and focus on what we can do to Make America Great Again.”
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to President Trump, was even more blunt about X, writing, “You will be remembered for your chicken fingers and pudding cups, you pathetic little man.”
President Trump and DeSantis met face-to-face in April and agreed to let bygones be bygones.
“I am so pleased to receive the full and enthusiastic endorsement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 29.
“We had a great meeting yesterday,” he added. “Most of the conversation was about how we work closely together to Make America Great Again. The future of Florida was also discussed, which is great!”
“I’m so grateful for Ron’s help in taking our country back from the worst President in American history,” Trump said. “November 5th is a big day!!!”
