Sunday morning, in Miami, there was a meeting of two of the nation’s most visible and influential Republicans, as former President and current presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump sat down with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss working together in the general election. This would mean Gov. DeSantis providing what support he can to the former President, as DeSantis is term-limited as Governor and his term is not up until 2026. The meeting was arranged at DeSantis’ request:
The two Florida Republicans met in Miami Sunday morning to talk about how they could work together during the general election, according to half a dozen people familiar with the meeting who were granted anonymity to speak freely.
The meeting was first reported by the Washington Post.
The get-together was arranged by Florida real-estate broker Steve Witkoff, several people confirmed to POLITICO. A Trump campaign official said it was a “good meeting set at the request of Gov. DeSantis.”
Three DeSantis donors texted POLITICO to say that they thought the move for the two men to make peace was “smart.”
“Smart” is something of an understatement; “essential” is likely more appropriate, given the bad blood that has at times passed between the Republicans’ presumptive presidential nominee and the man who is arguably the nation’s most successful GOP governor, and who is broadly seen as an eventual presidential contender.
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A key DeSantis campaign official spoke highly of the meeting.
“It’s a great development and makes perfect sense for Trump, Desantis and all Republicans,” said Roy Bailey, who was one of three finance chairs for DeSantis’ presidential campaign. “Gov. DeSantis had a really strong volunteer finance team and if we could plug that in and help Trump then that’s what we need to do — and want to do. It’s important to all get together and row in the same direction.”
This will likely provoke some discussion as to the possibility of DeSantis being former President Trump’s vice presidential pick, but it’s not at all clear that DeSantis would be interested. Although, given that a reelected President Trump would be restricted to one term, whoever gains the VP slot will be in the catbird seat in the 2028 election.
The likelihood of DeSantis taking the VP slot is also lessened by the snaps and slashes the two GOP leaders have taken at each other, not least of which was Trump’s naming the Governor “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Even so, while Florida is a red state now and would appear to be safely in the GOP column for November, nothing is certain in this game. It’s also a smart move for the Trump campaign to gain an alliance with a Republican governor who has an impressive record in putting his agenda into place, and who won his latest reelection in an overwhelming landslide.
Ron DeSantis is a likely 2028 presidential candidate in any case. Making peace with Team Trump can only help him in that endeavor.
DeSantis has not ruled out a 2028 run for president and appears to be making amends with Republicans and others he’s fought with. Walt Disney World, for instance, settled its lawsuit against the governor after he appointed a competent official friendly to the California-based company to oversee its special taxing district, putting a two-year feud to a close.
As of this writing, there is no indication of any agreements that may have been reached at this meeting. We will continue to watch this interesting development and bring you updates as events warrant.
