It appears like former president Trump and governor Ron DeSantis are now prepared to set aside their animosity from the Republican presidential primaries.
Sixteen sources with knowledge of the meeting, who were all given anonymity so they could speak freely, said that the two Florida Republicans got together in Miami on Sunday morning to discuss potential coalition building for the general election.
The Washington Post broke the story of the encounter first.
Multiple sources told HEADLINESFOREVER that Steve Witkoff, a real estate dealer in Florida, was responsible for organizing the gathering. According to a Trump campaign insider, the meeting was arranged at Gov. DeSantis’s request and was a “good one.”
The decision for the two men to reconcile was deemed “smart” by three DeSantis contributors who contacted HEADLINESFOREVER via text message.
HEADLINESFOREVER was the first to disclose that during a retreat in Hollywood this month, DeSantis informed his most devoted contributors that he would be fundraising for Trump’s campaign. By amassing a record-breaking amount of nearly $200 million during his reelection campaign in 2022, the Republican governor demonstrated his extraordinary fundraising abilities. Following his unsuccessful bid for the presidency, he funneled a large portion of his fortune into a political action committee.
After a particularly nasty campaign in which Trump frequently attacked the governor on a personal level and attempted to show him up in Florida, the state they both call home, the two men’s friendship could be helped along by the recent turn of events. Additionally, DeSantis’ prominence, as well as his involvement in the 2024 general election and the GOP convention in Milwaukee, might be enhanced by making reparations.
Even though Trump has proven he can put the past behind him, it’s unclear whether his political operatives will be as tolerant, especially considering that Susie Wiles and other officials had previously worked for Ron DeSantis and took pleasure in his defeat in the presidential primary.
Trump and DeSantis were associates during Trump’s time in the White House; during the 2018 gubernatorial primary, Trump claimed credit for DeSantis’s victory. What he perceived as DeSantis’s lack of appreciation for his assistance hurt him, he said time and time again.
Despite DeSantis’s decision to withdraw from the race in January, he has stuck to his word and would endorse Trump for president. However, not long after that, he attacked Trump for being too political and for utilizing “identity politics” to choose his running mate.
Trump retaliated harshly, endorsing candidates in Florida, including one whose election is postponed until 2026, the year before DeSantis’ term limits expire. Trump went so far as to suggest that Republicans should hold a primary challenge to Rep. Laurel Lee, who was the lone Republican from Florida to support DeSantis rather than himself.
In response to DeSantis’s earlier claims that he had no intention of working with Trump in Florida—a state that leans Republican—the Trump campaign denied that he was desired. While Trump was president, DeSantis frequently questioned his policies, particularly his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak and immigration policies, and he was particularly harsh with Trump over a six-week abortion ban that Trump had signed into law. In response to a question from HEADLINESFOREVER two weeks ago about whether Trump should reveal his vote on an abortion referendum that Floridians would have the chance to decide on in November, the governor declined.
Even while he seems to be making peace with Republicans and others he’s fought with, DeSantis hasn’t dismissed the possibility of running for president again in 2028. For example, Walt Disney World and the governor ended their two-year feud when the governor chose a competent officer who was loyal to the California-based firm to supervise its special taxing district, settling the case against the governor.
Also, DeSantis has been holding private meetings with contributors to thank them for their support, which many see as an attempt to change his image after some say he doesn’t thank them enough for all their help.