Trump Just Disrupted Ron DeSantis' Succession Plans
Now, DeSantis, who has arguably ascended to become the most powerful governor in Florida history, might exit office without an individual committed to safeguarding his legacy.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — In recent weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis conveyed a clear message to donors and key Republican supporters: refrain from backing Rep. Byron Donalds, as Casey was seriously contemplating a run for governor in 2026.
This strategy shifted abruptly last Thursday evening when President Donald Trump made a striking endorsement of Donalds via social media. Trump's endorsement may have also jeopardized efforts to safeguard Gov. DeSantis' conservative legacy as he prepares for a potential bid for the presidency once again.
Three Republican operatives and consultants, who chose to remain anonymous to share insights about the promotion of Casey DeSantis, revealed that the governor had made outreach efforts requesting donors and potential supporters of Donalds to hold off on their endorsements. This includes individuals who appeared in a social media post where Trump highlighted a poll indicating Donalds’ lead among potential GOP candidates.
Two Republican insiders mentioned that both the governor and first lady were planning to meet with Trump to discuss the governor’s race during a visit to Washington last week with other governors. It remains unclear whether this meeting, first reported by the conservative news site The Floridian, occurred; however, the couple did attend a governors' dinner at the White House on Saturday.
Now, DeSantis, regarded as one of Florida's most powerful governors, may leave office without having designated a successor committed to continuing his extensive legislative initiatives and policy efforts. Over his six years in office, he has emerged as a conservative icon, tackling Covid-19 protocols and engaging in high-stakes political confrontations regarding gender and racial identity.
During a press conference in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis responded to questions about Trump's endorsement of Donalds by criticizing him, suggesting that Donalds should prioritize assisting Trump in Congress and stating that “he just hasn’t been part of any of the victories we have had over the left the last few years.” The governor also remarked that Casey DeSantis, if she were to run for governor, would win by an even greater margin than his victory in 2022.
Veteran Trump allies asserted that a Trump endorsement guarantees success in a state that has become firmly Republican.
“Trump is going to decide the elections in Florida in 2026,” said state Sen. Joe Gruters. “He controls the party, he controls the state — and there’s nothing that anybody can do to change that.”
Personal injury lawyer Dan Newlin, a donor Trump designated as ambassador to Colombia, characterized Donalds as someone who had demonstrated “unwavering dedication” to the president and anticipated a “significant victory.” Newlin noted that he had not received calls from DeSantis regarding the 2026 race, viewing the lack of outreach as a “significant political mistake.”
One GOP operative remarked on Donalds: “I think he’s the nominee until someone comes up with a way to dethrone him.”
While Donalds, who was once an ally of DeSantis, has not formally entered the race, he seems poised to do so soon. At a Conservative Political Action Conference appearance on Friday, Donalds praised both Gov. DeSantis and former Gov. Rick Scott, asserting that “Florida is not going to stop leading.” He indicated listeners should “stay tuned” for his future plans.
The Trump endorsement has placed the sitting governor and first lady in a delicate position — although at least one operative suggested Casey DeSantis may pursue her candidacy regardless.
In Tallahassee, lobbyists and donors viewed Casey DeSantis as a “beautiful, elegant solution” to the question of who might succeed Ron DeSantis, according to a Florida Republican consultant who spoke anonymously about private discussions. Another GOP consultant argued that Casey DeSantis, having initiated several high-profile initiatives including the Hope Florida program, had already built a record that rivals other governors.
“She’s one of the rare political spouses,” DeSantis mentioned about his wife during a recent interview on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle.” “Even though I’m probably the most conservative governor in the country, she may even be more conservative than me.”
Her candidacy could help protect and enhance the governor’s transformative changes to state government. A lobbyist, who requested anonymity to speak freely, noted data indicating that DeSantis and Trump endorsements often negate one another in statewide primaries.
“I’m entertained by the lobbyists who have convinced themselves that the Trump endorsement ended the race, or that we haven’t all been 18 months out from a primary looking at a front runner who didn’t ultimately win,” the individual stated.
Throughout his time in office, the governor has also reshaped the state Supreme Court and overhauled the higher education system by placing allies on university boards and appointing supportive university presidents. Recently, he promoted his chief of staff to attorney general after appointing Ashley Moody to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat.
Before James Uthmeier was sworn in as the new attorney general on Monday, DeSantis noted that he could potentially serve for 10 years, as he would still be eligible for two terms. DeSantis is also expected to appoint someone to succeed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who is running for Congress.
At one time, Moody was viewed as a viable successor; however, DeSantis opted to appoint her to the U.S. Senate after Rubio was chosen to be Trump’s secretary of state. One supporter of DeSantis argued that the governor “had sacrificed a potential torch hand-off for the good of the country.”
Another Republican operative asserted that DeSantis cannot maintain conflicting positions, given his frequent criticisms of the lack of term limits in Congress.
“This is term limits — fundamentally, you believe in closing the page,” the operative remarked. “How can he want to have a legacy if he believes in term limits?”
Yet the short list of potential successors reflects the strained relationships DeSantis has held with other Republicans, including Trump. DeSantis benefited from Trump’s timely endorsement in 2018 to secure the governorship. However, he later decided to challenge Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, only to secure a distant second place during the Iowa caucuses. Many involved in Trump's campaign, including Susie Wiles, the current White House chief of staff, have also experienced rifts with DeSantis.
Once on close terms with DeSantis, Donalds had even spoken before him at the governor’s reelection party. However, their relationship soured after Donalds endorsed Trump over DeSantis and criticized Florida’s new educational standards.
Trump's endorsement of Donalds serves as a strong reminder of his enduring influence among Republicans.
“It sends an undeniable message that Trump has a long memory, and anybody who dares challenge his endorsed candidates in Florida will find themselves caught in his crosshairs,” cautioned Max Goodman, a southwest Florida Republican consultant.
The pressing question now is how the DeSantises will move forward. One supporter of DeSantis cast doubt on the likelihood of the governor backing Donalds, especially with nearly two years remaining in his term.
“There’s no political benefit for the governor to do anything that leads to a lame duck status,” the individual suggested. “To endorse Byron would lead to a lame duck status.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
This strategy shifted abruptly last Thursday evening when President Donald Trump made a striking endorsement of Donalds via social media. Trump's endorsement may have also jeopardized efforts to safeguard Gov. DeSantis' conservative legacy as he prepares for a potential bid for the presidency once again.
Three Republican operatives and consultants, who chose to remain anonymous to share insights about the promotion of Casey DeSantis, revealed that the governor had made outreach efforts requesting donors and potential supporters of Donalds to hold off on their endorsements. This includes individuals who appeared in a social media post where Trump highlighted a poll indicating Donalds’ lead among potential GOP candidates.
Two Republican insiders mentioned that both the governor and first lady were planning to meet with Trump to discuss the governor’s race during a visit to Washington last week with other governors. It remains unclear whether this meeting, first reported by the conservative news site The Floridian, occurred; however, the couple did attend a governors' dinner at the White House on Saturday.
Now, DeSantis, regarded as one of Florida's most powerful governors, may leave office without having designated a successor committed to continuing his extensive legislative initiatives and policy efforts. Over his six years in office, he has emerged as a conservative icon, tackling Covid-19 protocols and engaging in high-stakes political confrontations regarding gender and racial identity.
During a press conference in Tampa on Monday, DeSantis responded to questions about Trump's endorsement of Donalds by criticizing him, suggesting that Donalds should prioritize assisting Trump in Congress and stating that “he just hasn’t been part of any of the victories we have had over the left the last few years.” The governor also remarked that Casey DeSantis, if she were to run for governor, would win by an even greater margin than his victory in 2022.
Veteran Trump allies asserted that a Trump endorsement guarantees success in a state that has become firmly Republican.
“Trump is going to decide the elections in Florida in 2026,” said state Sen. Joe Gruters. “He controls the party, he controls the state — and there’s nothing that anybody can do to change that.”
Personal injury lawyer Dan Newlin, a donor Trump designated as ambassador to Colombia, characterized Donalds as someone who had demonstrated “unwavering dedication” to the president and anticipated a “significant victory.” Newlin noted that he had not received calls from DeSantis regarding the 2026 race, viewing the lack of outreach as a “significant political mistake.”
One GOP operative remarked on Donalds: “I think he’s the nominee until someone comes up with a way to dethrone him.”
While Donalds, who was once an ally of DeSantis, has not formally entered the race, he seems poised to do so soon. At a Conservative Political Action Conference appearance on Friday, Donalds praised both Gov. DeSantis and former Gov. Rick Scott, asserting that “Florida is not going to stop leading.” He indicated listeners should “stay tuned” for his future plans.
The Trump endorsement has placed the sitting governor and first lady in a delicate position — although at least one operative suggested Casey DeSantis may pursue her candidacy regardless.
In Tallahassee, lobbyists and donors viewed Casey DeSantis as a “beautiful, elegant solution” to the question of who might succeed Ron DeSantis, according to a Florida Republican consultant who spoke anonymously about private discussions. Another GOP consultant argued that Casey DeSantis, having initiated several high-profile initiatives including the Hope Florida program, had already built a record that rivals other governors.
“She’s one of the rare political spouses,” DeSantis mentioned about his wife during a recent interview on Fox News Channel’s “The Ingraham Angle.” “Even though I’m probably the most conservative governor in the country, she may even be more conservative than me.”
Her candidacy could help protect and enhance the governor’s transformative changes to state government. A lobbyist, who requested anonymity to speak freely, noted data indicating that DeSantis and Trump endorsements often negate one another in statewide primaries.
“I’m entertained by the lobbyists who have convinced themselves that the Trump endorsement ended the race, or that we haven’t all been 18 months out from a primary looking at a front runner who didn’t ultimately win,” the individual stated.
Throughout his time in office, the governor has also reshaped the state Supreme Court and overhauled the higher education system by placing allies on university boards and appointing supportive university presidents. Recently, he promoted his chief of staff to attorney general after appointing Ashley Moody to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat.
Before James Uthmeier was sworn in as the new attorney general on Monday, DeSantis noted that he could potentially serve for 10 years, as he would still be eligible for two terms. DeSantis is also expected to appoint someone to succeed Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who is running for Congress.
At one time, Moody was viewed as a viable successor; however, DeSantis opted to appoint her to the U.S. Senate after Rubio was chosen to be Trump’s secretary of state. One supporter of DeSantis argued that the governor “had sacrificed a potential torch hand-off for the good of the country.”
Another Republican operative asserted that DeSantis cannot maintain conflicting positions, given his frequent criticisms of the lack of term limits in Congress.
“This is term limits — fundamentally, you believe in closing the page,” the operative remarked. “How can he want to have a legacy if he believes in term limits?”
Yet the short list of potential successors reflects the strained relationships DeSantis has held with other Republicans, including Trump. DeSantis benefited from Trump’s timely endorsement in 2018 to secure the governorship. However, he later decided to challenge Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, only to secure a distant second place during the Iowa caucuses. Many involved in Trump's campaign, including Susie Wiles, the current White House chief of staff, have also experienced rifts with DeSantis.
Once on close terms with DeSantis, Donalds had even spoken before him at the governor’s reelection party. However, their relationship soured after Donalds endorsed Trump over DeSantis and criticized Florida’s new educational standards.
Trump's endorsement of Donalds serves as a strong reminder of his enduring influence among Republicans.
“It sends an undeniable message that Trump has a long memory, and anybody who dares challenge his endorsed candidates in Florida will find themselves caught in his crosshairs,” cautioned Max Goodman, a southwest Florida Republican consultant.
The pressing question now is how the DeSantises will move forward. One supporter of DeSantis cast doubt on the likelihood of the governor backing Donalds, especially with nearly two years remaining in his term.
“There’s no political benefit for the governor to do anything that leads to a lame duck status,” the individual suggested. “To endorse Byron would lead to a lame duck status.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
