DeSantis would not again Byron Donalds regardless of Trump endorsement in governor’s race

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated Monday that he wouldn’t essentially assist President Donald Trump’s choose to exchange him, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and acknowledged the rumor of his spouse, Casey DeSantis, probably operating subsequent 12 months.

Donalds has not formally introduced plans to run for governor of Florida within the 2026 race, however Trump stated in a TRUTH Social submit Thursday that Donalds had his “full and whole endorsement” if he so chooses. DeSantis, in the meantime, has been rumored to be floating the thought of his spouse operating for governor to donors. 

At a press convention in Tampa on Monday through which he mentioned the creation of Florida’s personal Division of Authorities Effectivity, DeSantis declined to again a Donalds gubernatorial bid at this stage.

“Donald Trump simply acquired into workplace. I would like these congressmen centered on enacting his agenda,” DeSantis stated. “They haven’t completed very a lot but. They’re not placing his govt orders into place. We’ll see what they do on the spending, however we’ve got such a slender majority that to be making an attempt to marketing campaign different locations and lacking these votes I feel shouldn’t be one thing that’s advisable in any respect.”

RON DESANTIS: FLORIDA WAS DOGE BEFORE IT WAS COOL

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to again Byron Donalds at this stage. (AP Picture/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

“We’ve achieved victories in Florida. We have to begin attaining these victories up there, so I feel individuals have a look at it and say, you bought a man like Byron, he simply hasn’t been part of any of the victories that we’ve had right here over these final years,” DeSantis continued. “He’s simply not been part of it. He’s been in different states campaigning doing that, and that’s superb, however OK, properly then ship outcomes up there. That’s what I wish to see. I wish to see them delivering outcomes for the individuals of Florida. We ship it right here on a regular basis for the individuals of Florida, and that’s what we must be doing.”

DeSantis stated he’s going to be elevating cash for the 2026 race and is in search of somebody “that’s going to have the ability to proceed and construct off that success that we’ve had right here in Florida.”

“I feel lots of people suppose one way or the other the battle’s been gained, and also you don’t have to fret about it. We might revert in a short time. That would occur. 100%,” DeSantis, who Trump endorsed within the 2018 gubernatorial race, stated. “And so it actually must be, ‘OK, are you going to be anyone that’s going to combat for individuals, particularly when it’s not straightforward? Have you ever been prepared to get in and get entangled in these massive battles that we’ve had and have gained over these a few years?’ And when you’re not prepared to do this, then I feel we’re going to see this state revert, so I’d not take something with no consideration.” 

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., throughout the Conservative Political Motion Convention (CPAC) in Nationwide Harbor, Maryland, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.  (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)

“We’ve had lots of of hundreds of individuals transfer right here particularly due to the insurance policies that we’ve got, and I feel that’s one thing that you shouldn’t take with no consideration,” DeSantis stated. “This isn’t essentially one thing that simply goes on auto pilot.” 

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Requested about his spouse probably operating, DeSantis gave no affirmation Monday however spoke extremely of her political acumen and conservatism. 

“Individuals ask me on a regular basis about our great first girl, who has completed a improbable job as first girl of Florida,” DeSantis stated of the primary girl. “I’ll inform you this, you’re speaking about anyone like her. I gained by the largest margin that any Republican has ever gained a governor’s race right here in Florida. She would do higher than me.” 

“She’s anyone that has the intestinal fortitude and the dedication to conservative ideas that, , something that we’ve completed she’d be capable of take to the subsequent stage,” DeSantis stated. 

Then-Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and spouse Casey DeSantis arrive for a marketing campaign occasion at Eternity Church on Could 30, 2023 in Clive, Iowa.  (Scott Olson/Getty Pictures)

He added that the late legendary American broadcaster Rush Limbaugh as soon as informed him at a dinner in Palm Seaside throughout his first 12 months as governor, “The one particular person I’d quite have as my governor than you, is her.” 

On Thursday, Trump wrote on his social media platform partly, “Byron Donalds can be a really Nice and Highly effective Governor for Florida and, ought to he determine to run, can have my Full and Whole Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!” 

In response, Donalds shared a screenshot of the president’s message. “President Trump is Making America Nice Once more. I am dedicated to working with him to Hold Florida Nice. Announcement coming quickly!” the congressman stated. 

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On the Conservative Political Motion Convention (CPAC) afterward, Donalds didn’t formally announce a gubernatorial bid however stated it had been an “attention-grabbing 12 hours” and to “keep tuned.”