Former President Donald Trump praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis following a private meeting between the two in Florida. Speculation arose that DeSantis could be Trump’s running mate in the upcoming election, but a source stated that the meeting was more of a peace talk after a contentious primary. The discussion centered on joint fundraising efforts to support Trump in his bid to defeat President Joe Biden in the election. This meeting marked the first communication between Trump and DeSantis since the Florida governor dropped out of the Republican primaries earlier in the year.
The meeting between Trump and DeSantis lasted approximately three hours at a club in Hollywood, Florida, and concluded with a handshake between the two Republicans. Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform about the meeting, praising DeSantis for his endorsement and expressing gratitude for his support in working together to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” The former president highlighted discussions on the future of Florida and emphasized the importance of the upcoming election in November. Representatives of both Trump and DeSantis were reached out to for comment following the meeting.
Prior to dropping out of the presidential race, DeSantis faced ridicule from Trump, who mockingly referred to him as “Meatball Ron” and “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Trump accused DeSantis of disloyalty, despite the governor’s previous endorsement of him for governor. DeSantis, in turn, criticized Trump for his behavior, stating that the former president would only praise those who showed loyalty to him, regardless of their actions. DeSantis ultimately exited the race in January after performing poorly in the Iowa caucuses and consistently trailing Trump in the polls.
While DeSantis did endorse Trump on social media after dropping out of the race, critics at the time questioned the authenticity of his support. The meeting between Trump and DeSantis in Florida following their previous rivalry may indicate a shift in their relationship as they discuss cooperation in the upcoming election. The focus of the discussion was on working together to ensure Trump’s victory and to advance the interests of Florida. The outcome of the meeting suggests a potential reconciliation between the two prominent Republicans.
