Donald Trump Meets With Former GOP Rival Gov. Ron DeSantis To Heal Divide Ahead Of 2024

Over the weekend, a significant political event unfolded as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, former rivals in the Republican nomination race, met in Miami, Florida. According to sources close to the matter, the gathering was a crucial step towards healing the rift between the two men after a contentious primary, and it aimed to galvanize DeSantis' donors for Trump's November campaign.

Another key aspect of the meeting was the potential access to Gov. DeSantis' extensive donor network, a significant asset he amassed during his gubernatorial campaign in Florida and his presidential campaign nationwide. The Trump campaign, which has been grappling to match President Biden's fundraising prowess, could greatly benefit from the addition of DeSantis' high-profile donors to its financial arsenal, potentially bolstering the Republican nominee's chances in the upcoming election.

According to the Washington Post, 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. The Sunshine State governor endorsed Trump following his departure from the race in January, but some of his rhetoric since then has been somewhat hostile to Trump, posting in late January that he would not support efforts for taxpayers to pay for some of Trump's legal bills.

Despite some of DeSantis' comments, he seemed ready to mend fences following the meeting on Sunday. "It's clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance," DeSantis said in a video posted to X. "They watched his presidency get stymied by relentless resistance, and they see Democrats using lawfare to this day to attack him." 

Gov. DeSantis dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination in January following a second-place finish in Iowa that saw the Florida governor only secure the support of 21 percent of Iowans despite his efforts to visit every single county in an attempt to beat Trump, who won 51 percent of the vote. 

Despite his lackluster showing in the 2024 primaries, Gov. DeSantis, who will leave office in Florida in 2026, has been seen as a potential frontrunner for the GOP nomination in 2028. His decision to rekindle his relationship with Trump is wise, and he could prove to be a strong ally in what is expected to be a tough race against Biden. Trump will need every ally he can get if he wants to take back the White House, and DeSantis, who helped flip Florida into a solid Republican state, will be an important part of that fight.

You can follow Sterling on X/Twitter here.