The remaining term of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is more than two years. Still, Trump can’t wait to pick someone to succeed him.
Trump directly asked Rep. Byron Donalds about his intentions to run for governor during a lavish fundraiser at Manhattan’s Pierre on Tuesday night. Trump said, “That’s what I hear,” as Donalds told HEADLINESFOREVER while grinning. Trump then made the remark that many of his pals were probably going to run for office, as if he were playing with the prospective politician.
The publically recorded exchange between Trump and Donalds soon surfaced. It was a clear indication that Trump is determined to demonstrate his dominance of the state they both reside in for a long time after the 2024 election, even if he is in the midst of a public peace pact with his former primary opponent, Ron DeSantis. It brought the already intense jockeying for 2026 into the open and increased the tension over when, how, and whether Trump would support.
“The invisible primary for the GOP nomination for Florida governor for 2026 is already underway,” expressed Justin Sayfie, a partner at Ballard Partners and a former policy assistant to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. “It’s typical of Donald Trump to reveal the innermost thoughts and conversations that go unspoken, even though they don’t usually make headlines.”
The unstated message that Trump was conveying during the fundraiser, according to Sayfie’s interpretation, was that he was aware Republicans would be vying for his support and that his decision at the fundraiser would have a significant impact on the Republican nominee in the end.
According to Trump’s extremely early remarks, he is eager to play kingmaker again. He loves it everywhere in the United States, but he may be most renowned for his work in Florida, where he propelled Ron DeSantis—then a relatively unknown congressman—to the Republican nomination and, eventually, the governor’s house in 2018. In hindsight, Trump would come to lament the choice.
This time around, Donalds is merely one of Trump’s acquaintances who is interested in the position. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz are two more Trump loyalists in Congress; on Thursday, they were among Trump’s courtroom companions during his criminal trial in New York City. On Tuesday, Donalds attended the trial; he is supposedly being considered as one of several potential running mates for Trump this year.
People from Florida are quickly making their way to Manhattan, indicating that they are also keenly aware that Trump is keeping track of who supported him in 2024—and that this may all pay off in 2026.
In 2018, Trump did not back DeSantis until the August primary, when then-Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam had already established himself as the frontrunner among contributors and public opinion polls. Trump has been mum about the timing of his 2026 endorsement decision, but he did lay a flag early for that election cycle by nominating his close supporter, Florida state senator Joe Gruters, to the position of chief financial officer.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties have numerous candidates vying for the position of chief executive in Florida. Since the state has become more red, the Republican nominee will enter the general election as the favorite, and DeSantis will be term-limited out in 2026.
Trump has been courted by other would-be candidates in the past two years. In the Republican presidential primaries, for example, CFO Jimmy Patronis abstained from taking a stand but later endorsed Trump following DeSantis’ withdrawal. Patronis has reached out to Trump multiple times since then. He sought to establish a $5 million fund to assist with Trump’s legal expenses, but DeSantis swiftly knocked down his idea. Trump may be allowed to divert funds from an unclaimed property fund that the ex-president, his relatives, and companies are due, according to a notice he issued not long ago.
Even more people, including those close to the present governor, are considering running for governor. State Attorney General Ashley Moody and Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez are both considering running for office, and both women are seen as loyalists and close associates of DeSantis.
A political aide for DeSantis chose not to address Trump’s comments made during the fundraiser, but following a contentious and emotionally charged presidential race, the governor and Trump have publicly reconciled in recent weeks. It is unclear how close DeSantis will get to the Trump operation, despite his commitment to utilize his fundraising skills to aid in Trump’s election.
Casey DeSantis, the first lady of Florida, has already indicated that she has “zero” interest in running for office, ruling out her husband Ron DeSantis, who has been mum on the subject of his potential successor as governor.
In light of Trump’s most recent remarks to Donalds, it’s possible that he and DeSantis will be embroiled in yet another power struggle to determine Florida’s destiny by 2026. A close associate of the former president and two-term governor of Florida, Sen. Rick Scott, told HEADLINESFOREVER that Trump has “built a lot of relationships” in the state.
As the time draws near, he told the contenders to start meeting voters and contributors now and to be prepared to explain why they wanted to run. Nonetheless, Scott will not be participating in the tournament.
Scott stated, “I try not to be involved” in reference to the upcoming game. “Recall my 2010 campaign, when every single person voted against me.”
Laughing it off, Donalds said, “Trump singled me out Tuesday night because he “likes me, I guess.” This goes against his previously stated ambition in seeking the office of governor. While acknowledging the closeness of the race, he reiterated that Republicans’ top priority this year should be to ensure Trump’s election.
On Wednesday, Gaetz was brief with HEADLINESFOREVER on Capitol Hill in response to a question regarding Trump’s remark regarding the number of friends he had who were considering running for governor of Florida. A quick “So do I” from Gaetz.
The representative, who was preparing to leave for New York, said he would have to keep it brief because he was short on time. “Byron’s a fantastic friend,” he remarked. “I have no doubt that his future is bright.”
Following the interview, Gaetz went on X to elaborate, stressing that everyone must keep their sights set on Trump’s reelection in November. “We won’t have a country, a Florida, or any political ambition left worth a rip if we don’t elect Trump,” he wrote.
Another fact regarding the 2026 contest was exposed by the comment: the outcome of Trump’s reelection in November would determine the composition of the Republican gubernatorial primary. There are still roughly six months until the general election, but Trump is now leading in polls in important swing states. Candidates for governor can only do so much planning in light of that fact.
“The decision-making process will not commence until after November,” stated David Custin, a political advisor to Nuñez. “Everyone is facing the same challenges. Have Trump’s oaths been taken? That ought to be your initial inquiry. Will the Florida sitting president essentially choose the candidate in the primary, or will it be a truly open race?
Trump’s Next Move: Installing His Pick as DeSantis’ Successor in Florida…
