Ron DeSantis takes swipe at Trump's pick for Florida governor
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized Representative Byron Donalds, whom President Donald Trump has endorsed as his potential successor in the state's 2026 gubernatorial race.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, DeSantis said Donalds "hasn't been a part of any of the victories" that Republicans have achieved in Florida in recent years.
Newsweek has contacted DeSantis and Donalds for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
The 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary in Florida is likely to become a proxy battle between Trump and DeSantis, his ally turned political rival. Trump's backing of Donalds could hinder the prospects of Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis, who is rumored to be considering a run to replace her husband as governor.
What to Know
The Florida Constitution bars DeSantis from seeking a third consecutive term, leaving an open Republican primary ahead of the 2026 general election.
In a February 20 post on Truth Social, Trump said that if Donalds decides to run, he will have his "complete and total" endorsement, adding, "RUN, BYRON, RUN!"
DeSantis was asked about Trump's endorsement of Donalds during a Monday press conference where he announced the creation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force.
DeSantis criticized Donalds and other GOP Florida representatives, saying they "haven't done very much yet" to advance Trump's agenda since the president returned to office on January 20.
The governor also argued that Donalds, who has been a U.S. representative since 2021, has not contributed to the Republican victories in Florida that have turned the former swing state into a GOP stronghold under his reign.
Addressing speculation about his wife's political ambitions, DeSantis downplayed rumors that Casey DeSantis is considering a gubernatorial bid. He added that if she were to run in 2026, she "would do better" than he did in 2022, when he won reelection over Democrat Charlie Crist by 19 points.
The president and DeSantis were once close allies, with the governor's 2018 victory largely attributed to Trump's endorsement. Their relationship became strained when DeSantis challenged Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
DeSantis appears to be making efforts to rebuild ties with Trump's MAGA base as he considers his political future, including a potential White House bid in 2028.
His recent actions include pushing hard-line immigration policies and making Florida the first state to recognize Trump's executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
What People Are Saying
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at Monday's press conference: "Donald Trump just got into office. I want these congressmen focused on enacting his agenda. They haven't done very much yet, they're not putting his executive orders into place. We'll see what they do on the spending. The reality is, we've achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there. You got a guy like Byron—he just hasn't been a part of any of the victories that we've had here over the left these last years. He's just not been a part of it. He's been in other states, campaigning, doing that, and that's fine. But, OK, well, then deliver results up there."
DeSantis on speculation about Casey DeSantis running for governor: "She's never angled for anything, right? Because that's just not who she is. But I will tell you this: I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor's race here in Florida. She would do better than me, there's no question about that. She's somebody with the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative principles that anything we've accomplished, she'd be able to take to the next level."
President Donald Trump in a February 20 Truth Social post: "I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER! As governor, Byron would have a BIG voice and would work closely with me to advance our America First agenda. Byron Donalds would be a truly great and powerful governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!"
What Happens Next
The Florida gubernatorial primary election is scheduled for August 18, 2026.
Donalds has not officially declared his candidacy but teased an "announcement coming soon" while sharing Trump's endorsement on X, formerly Twitter.