Portrait of Ron DeSantis
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Ron DeSantis on Donald Trump

Endorsed political ally (strong)

TL;DR

Ron DeSantis has previously shown strong support for Donald Trump, endorsing him after suspending his 2024 presidential bid.

Key Points

  • He ran an ad in the 2018 Republican primary teaching his children to say "Make America Great Again."

  • DeSantis formally suspended his 2024 presidential campaign and endorsed Trump on January 21, 2024.

  • A 2026 poll showed DeSantis has 87% approval among Republicans, slightly outpacing Trump's 83% favorability.

Summary

Ron DeSantis has a public history of aligning himself with Donald Trump, especially during his initial run for Florida Governor in 2018, where he emphasized his support for the former president. This alignment continued into his congressional career, where he was characterized as an ally of the president. After DeSantis suspended his 2024 Republican presidential campaign in January 2024, he formally endorsed Trump for the nomination.

However, recent political dynamics suggest a more complex relationship, as polling indicates that Governor DeSantis holds a higher approval rating among Florida Republicans than Trump does in 2026. Furthermore, Florida GOP voters surveyed indicated that an endorsement from DeSantis would carry more weight for a state office than one from the former president, hinting at a potential shift in political currency between the two figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ron DeSantis's current official stance is one of support, as he endorsed Donald Trump after concluding his 2024 presidential campaign. Historically, he has been an ally, often aligning his political identity with the former president's agenda.

Yes, Ron DeSantis was a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination but suspended his campaign in January 2024. He then endorsed Donald Trump for the nomination.

While the public relationship has included a shift from challenger to endorser, recent polling suggests DeSantis may be gaining political ground in Florida. However, he has not publicly recanted his endorsement of the former president.

Sources3

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.