DeSantis Set To Fundraise Millions For Trump In Florida, Texas - 'Donors Will Follow His Lead'

Following a meeting last month to mend fences with presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is looking to begin fundraising for his formal rival in Florida and Texas in the coming weeks, according to two people familiar with the governor's plans.

"He's shown his commitment to the president, and that's why I say we'll follow his lead, and why I think donors will follow his lead," Dallas investor and former co-chair of DeSantis' presidential finance committee Roy Bailey said, as reported by Newsmax. "We will be focused on past DeSantis donors who have yet to donate to President Trump. We're going to try to mine those donors for him. That will create a lot of value."

DeSantis' fundraising plans in his home state and Texas are the first concrete steps he has taken to aid Trump's campaign following a meeting the two men had last month. As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the meeting was orchestrated by real estate investor Steve Witkoff, who has relationships with both men. The meeting was the first time the two men had spoken in person since a divisive primary, in which they launched personal attacks against one another by both campaigns.

Following the meeting, Trump took to Truth Social to thank DeSantis for the productive meeting. "I am very happy to have the full and enthusiastic support of Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida," the 45th president posted to Truth Social. "We had a great meeting yesterday, arranged by mutual friend Steve Witkoff, at his beautiful Shell Bay Club in Hollywood, Florida," he wrote. "The conversation mostly concerned how we would work closely together to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Also discussed was the future of Florida, which is FANTASTIC! I greatly appreciate Ron's support in taking back our Country from the Worst President in the History of the United States. November 5th is a BIG DAY!!!"

DeSantis has seemingly set aside his differences with the former president, writing on X following the meeting, "It's clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance. They watched his presidency get stymied by relentless resistance, and they see Democrats using lawfare to this day to attack him." 

The Florida governor's about-face also comes after he encouraged Republican voters to unify behind Trump in an interview with Florida Politics. "I think when you're in these Primaries – you know, they have a dynamic – I think now we're in a position where we are unified across issues as Republicans," DeSantis explained to the outlet. "I think if you look at what's going on in the state of Florida, you know, we have unprecedented success that we've had in this state."

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