Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently shared a photo on social media of a golf outing with former President Donald Trump and First Lady Casey DeSantis, sparking further discussion about the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race.
The outing occurred at Trump's West Palm Beach golf course, where the DeSantises and Trump had breakfast and played a round of golf. This move comes as the race to replace DeSantis heats up. Trump has already endorsed Representative Byron Donalds, while Casey DeSantis has hinted at her own potential candidacy.
Sources suggest the DeSantises used the meeting to urge Trump not to get further involved in the gubernatorial race beyond his initial endorsement of Donalds. Trump previously expressed strong support for Donalds, calling him a "Great and Powerful Governor for Florida."
Donalds subsequently announced his candidacy on Fox News. The conservative congressman has represented southwest Florida for four years and has been considering a gubernatorial run for some time.
The relationship between Trump and DeSantis is complex. Trump endorsed DeSantis in his successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign, but the two engaged in a contentious battle during the 2024 presidential primaries. They appeared to reconcile after Trump secured the nomination, with DeSantis supporting Trump's fundraising efforts during the general election.
Following Donalds' entry into the race, DeSantis appeared to criticize him, questioning his involvement in past victories. However, he has since refrained from further criticism and has instead emphasized his wife's achievements as First Lady, positioning her as a potential successor.
Casey DeSantis fueled speculation about her potential candidacy last week, offering a cryptic response when questioned by reporters. Governor DeSantis has also been contacting donors on his wife's behalf.
Donalds, referencing the 2018 campaign, highlighted Trump's successful endorsement of DeSantis and expressed gratitude for the former president's support in his own gubernatorial bid. He emphasized his focus on Florida residents.
Florida, now firmly Republican, is likely to see the GOP primary winner become the frontrunner in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
