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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared a photograph on social media this Tuesday highlighting a golf outing he enjoyed with his wife, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and former President Donald Trump over the weekend.
This post arrives as the contest to fill the term-limited position of the conservative governor intensifies. Trump’s ally, Representative Byron Donalds, has recently declared his candidacy after securing the president’s endorsement. In addition, Casey DeSantis has openly acknowledged her consideration of a potential gubernatorial run in 2026.
During their weekend together, Trump, DeSantis, and his wife began the day with breakfast at the president’s golf course in West Palm Beach, followed by a round of golf.
Governor DeSantis tweeted, ‘.@CaseyDeSantisteeing off at Trump Int’l in Palm Beach (made birdie on the hole). Casey and @realDonaldTrump had no trouble winning the match….’
A source close to the Republican Party in Florida confirmed to Fox News that the governor and First Lady took advantage of their time with Trump to request that he limit his involvement in the upcoming gubernatorial race, beyond his initial endorsement of Donalds.
Trump, who officially moved his primary residence to Florida in 2019, recently took to social media to declare that Donalds, a significant surrogate during the 2024 campaign, ‘would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida.’
He further stated, ‘should he decide to run, he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!’
Donalds made his candidacy public on Fox News’ “Hannity” just a week after Trump’s endorsement.
The conservative former state lawmaker has represented parts of southwest Florida in Congress for four years and has considered a run for governor for nearly a year.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Donalds stated in a Fox News Digital interview last spring, ‘I’ve thought about it. I don’t really rule anything out.’
The political relationship between Trump and DeSantis has been tumultuous, marked by both cooperation and conflict. Trump supported DeSantis’s successful bid for governor in 2018, fostering a strong alliance initially. However, tensions escalated during a contentious 2024 GOP presidential nomination race, where both figures vied for the party’s vote.
Despite their past conflicts, they appeared to mend their relationship after Trump secured the nomination during the primaries, with DeSantis later supporting Trump’s fundraising efforts in the general election.
As Donalds emerged in the gubernatorial race, DeSantis expressed subtle criticisms of the congressman, suggesting during a news conference that ‘I think people look at it and say you’ve 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 over these last years.’
Following these comments, the governor has avoided direct criticism of Donalds while consistently highlighting his wife’s achievements as the First Lady of Florida, strategically framing her as a viable candidate for governor.
Casey DeSantis recently fueled speculation regarding her potential gubernatorial run when reporters questioned her about it.
She replied, quoting the late baseball legend Yogi Berra, ‘If you see a fork in the road, take it.’ The governor then playfully suggested to reporters that ‘you guys can read into that what you will.’
Reports also confirmed last week that Governor DeSantis has been reaching out to donors in support of his wife.
In a recent interview on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Donalds expressed appreciation for the time he spent campaigning in 2018 for then-Congressman DeSantis, who had the backing of Trump at the time. He remarked, ‘That worked out great for our state. So, in 2025, moving into 2026, I am really honored to have the same support from President Trump.’
He noted how Trump has a history of making effective selections, stating, ‘I think his picks have always worked out for the Sunshine State.’
Adding to the discussion, Donalds commented, ‘We will worry about the primaries as other people decide to get in the race or not, but we are going to be focused on Floridians.’
Florida has transitioned from a competitive general election battleground to a solid Republican state. DeSantis was re-elected in 2022 by nearly 20 points, while Trump secured the state with a 13-point advantage in November. Consequently, the eventual winner of the GOP primary will likely be viewed as the frontrunner for next year’s gubernatorial election.
Key Insights into Florida’s Political Landscape
The dynamics of Florida’s political scene remain complex as various candidates jockey for position ahead of the gubernatorial election. The interplay between Trump’s influence and the DeSantis administration will shape the narrative as the campaigns unfold. Observers will closely watch how the power struggles and alliances develop in this pivotal political race, raising questions about the future of Florida’s governance.
