Ron DeSantis pokes fun at Trump’s choices in the contest for governor of Florida

Florida: In the state’s 2026 gubernatorial contest, President Donald Trump has backed Representative Byron Donalds, who has drawn criticism from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Donalds “hasn’t been a part of any of the victories” that Republicans have won in Florida in recent years, DeSantis said at a news conference on Monday.

Trump and DeSantis, his former buddy who is now a political foe, are expected to engage in a proxy fight during the 2026 Republican gubernatorial race in Florida. The chances of Florida’s first lady Casey DeSantis, who is reportedly thinking about running to succeed her husband as governor, may be hampered by Trump’s support of Donalds.

Prior to the general election in 2026, there will be an open Republican primary as DeSantis is prohibited by the Florida Constitution from running for a third consecutive term.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social on February 20 that Donalds would have his “complete and total” support if he chooses to run, adding, “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

When Trump announced the formation of the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task group at a news conference on Monday, DeSantis was questioned about his support for Donalds.

DeSantis blasted Donalds and other Republican lawmakers in Florida, claiming that since Trump’s return to office on January 20, they “haven’t done very much yet” to forward his agenda.

Additionally, according to the governor, Donalds, who has served as a U.S. congressman since 2021, has not helped the Republicans win Florida, which under his leadership has been a GOP bastion.

In response to concerns over his wife’s political aspirations, DeSantis denied reports that Casey DeSantis is thinking about running for governor. She “would do better” than he did in 2022, when he defeated Democrat Charlie Crist by 19 points, he said, if she were to run in 2026.

DeSantis and the president were previously close buddies, and Trump’s support was a major factor in the governor’s 2018 triumph. When DeSantis ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, their friendship soured.

As he thinks about his political future, including a possible 2028 run for the White House, DeSantis seems to be working to mend fences with Trump’s MAGA supporters.

Hard-line immigration policies and Florida being the first state to accept Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America are just two examples of his recent moves.

At the press conference on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated, “Donald Trump just took office. I want these lawmakers to be committed to carrying out his plan. They aren’t implementing his executive orders; thus, they haven’t accomplished anything so far. We’ll watch how they handle the expenditure. As a matter of fact, we have won in Florida. We must begin winning those battles up there. You have someone like Byron, but he hasn’t contributed to any of the successes the left has enjoyed in recent years. He just hasn’t participated in it. It’s okay that he has been campaigning in other states. However, all right, then get up there and produce results.”

Regarding rumors that Casey DeSantis may run for governor, DeSantis said, “She has never campaigned for anything, correct? Because she just isn’t that kind of person. However, I will tell you this: I won by the largest margin of any Republican to win a Florida gubernatorial election. There is no doubt that she would do better than I would. “She possesses the intestinal fortitude and the commitment to conservative values that would enable her to build on our accomplishments.”

“I know Byron well, and I have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” said President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post on February 20. Byron would work closely with me to further our America First agenda as governor, and he would have a BIG voice. If Byron Donalds decides to run for governor of Florida, I fully support him because he would be an incredibly strong and capable candidate. “RUN, BYRON, RUN!” On August 18, 2026, the Florida gubernatorial primary will take place. Donalds shared Trump’s support on X, previously Twitter, and hinted at an “announcement coming soon” without formally announcing his candidacy.