DeSantis Doesn't Back Trump's Endorsement for Florida Governor

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis disagreed with President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) as a potential candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

The Details: On Monday, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that Donalds would be a “great and powerful governor” should he decide to run. 

The Context: During the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Donalds endorsed Trump rather than DeSantis, resulting in differences between the two Florida politicians. DeSantis’s wife, Casey DeSantis, has also considered entering the 2026 race. 

Key Quotes: At a press conference about the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, DeSantis said, “I want these congressmen focused on enacting [Trump's] agenda…we have such a narrow majority that to be trying to campaign in other places and missing these votes is not something that's advisable at all.” He added that Donalds “just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years… He’s been in other states campaigning doing that and that’s fine, but OK, then deliver results up there.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets from across the political spectrum focused on the alleged rift between DeSantis and Donalds. Newsmax (Right bias) ran a headline stating “DeSantis Throws Water on Rep. Donalds as Fla. Governor.” New Republic (Left) described DeSantis and Donalds as having a “public feud” over the 2024 primary and wrote that DeSantis tried to “take shots” at Donalds in his remarks about Trump’s endorsement. The Hill (Center) also reported DeSantis “took a swipe” at Donalds.