Ron and Casey DeSantis play golf with President Trump as Florida’s 2026 race for governor heats up
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently shared a photo on social media from a golf outing he and his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis, had with former President Donald Trump over the weekend. The meeting comes amidst a heated race to succeed the term-limited conservative governor, with Trump endorsing Rep. Bryon Donalds, a close ally, who has announced his candidacy. Additionally, the first lady herself has hinted at a possible run in 2026.
The governor and first lady enjoyed breakfast with Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course before hitting the links for a round of golf. DeSantis posted a picture of Casey DeSantis teeing off at Trump International, noting that they had a successful match against the former president.
A Republican source in Florida revealed that DeSantis and his wife used their time with Trump to dissuade him from further involvement in the gubernatorial race beyond his initial endorsement of Donalds. Trump had publicly praised Donalds as a strong candidate for governor and urged him to run.
Donalds, a conservative former state lawmaker, officially announced his candidacy on Fox News’ “Hannity” after contemplating a run for nearly a year. DeSantis and Trump have had a tumultuous political history, with tensions flaring during the 2024 GOP presidential nomination race. However, they seemed to have reconciled after Trump secured the nomination.
Following Donalds’ entry into the race, DeSantis appeared to criticize him, suggesting that the congressman had not been part of their previous victories over the left. Despite this initial remark, DeSantis has refrained from further criticism and has instead highlighted his wife’s accomplishments as a potential successor.
Casey DeSantis has fueled speculation about her own political ambitions, quoting Yogi Berra when asked about a possible run. Governor DeSantis has reportedly been reaching out to donors on her behalf. Donalds, on the other hand, expressed gratitude for Trump’s support and emphasized the importance of focusing on the needs of Floridians in the upcoming election.
With Florida firmly in the red column, the GOP primary winner will likely be the frontrunner in the gubernatorial election. DeSantis won re-election in 2022 by a large margin, and Trump carried the state in 2024. The race for governor in 2026 is expected to be highly competitive.
In conclusion, the dynamics of Florida politics are evolving rapidly as key players position themselves for the upcoming gubernatorial election. The interactions between DeSantis, Trump, and potential candidates like Donalds are shaping the landscape of the race. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
