He’s doing his best.
Last weekend, during a private retreat at South Florida’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis disclosed his intention to assist in raising funds for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, as reported by three reliable sources familiar with the matter.
DeSantis revealed this plan to his supporters and donors during the gathering, emphasizing his commitment to supporting Republicans at all levels, including the presidential campaign, as he had pledged when withdrawing his own bid for the presidency in January.
This announcement from DeSantis follows a period of political tension between him and Trump, both before and after DeSantis exited the presidential primary race. Despite DeSantis endorsing Trump in January, it remains uncertain whether Trump and his team desire DeSantis’s assistance or alliance.
Many of the bundlers present at the Hard Rock event are likely to follow DeSantis’s lead and begin efforts to raise funds for the former president, according to a fundraiser who attended the retreat.
Roy Bailey, a Texas businessman who previously served as a co-chair of DeSantis’s national finance advisory board, expressed his intention to support Trump’s fundraising efforts, following DeSantis’s lead.
However, a Trump campaign adviser mentioned they were unaware of DeSantis’s decision to start fundraising for them but emphasized the importance of all efforts directed towards defeating Joe Biden and re-electing President Trump.
DeSantis’s donor retreat coincided with Trump’s significant fundraising event, which reportedly raised $50.5 million. The relationship between DeSantis and Trump, once strong allies since Trump’s endorsement propelled DeSantis to the governorship in 2018, soured publicly as DeSantis considered a run against Trump in 2024.
Despite previous conflicts and disagreements, Trump could benefit from DeSantis’s support, particularly as he faces fundraising challenges compared to President Biden and the Democrats. DeSantis’s finance committee comprises fundraisers with extensive networks capable of mobilizing resources for Trump’s campaign.
