Transforming his VP front-runner from skeptic to a devoted supporter of MAGA, Trump’s strategic approach was key
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has shown unwavering support for former President Donald Trump during his campaign. Originally critical of Trump in 2011 and 2012, Donalds has since been considered as a potential running mate. Despite past criticisms, their relationship has evolved positively over time, as reported by CNN. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) transitioned from being critical of former President Donald Trump in 2011 and 2012 to becoming a strong supporter during Trump’s campaign. This shift led to Donalds being viewed as a potential running mate. Despite their initial differences, the relationship between them has improved over time, highlighted in a CNN report.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) has been an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump in his presidential campaign and has been eyed as a possible running mate for Trump, but Donalds was not always an ally.
Donalds criticized Trump several times in 2011 and 2012, according to a report from CNN, even posting “Thank God!” on Facebook when Trump announced he would not run in the 2012 presidential race.
“Trump is a huge distraction, and cares more about himself than the country in my opinion, but I could care less about him,” Donalds wrote in a Facebook post in April 2011, per the report.
Many of Donalds’s comments about Trump came when the New York businessman was making headlines for being skeptical about then-President Barack Obama’s place of birth and questioning his birth certificate.
“Trump is a self-promoter yelling about 25% tariffs on China,” Donalds said in another Facebook post at the time.
Donalds’s posts came as he was running for Congress in 2012 — a race he lost.
In subsequent years and elections, Donalds tied himself closer to Trump as the former president became the leader of the Republican Party. Donalds has been a fierce defender of Trump in the 2024 campaign, raising his profile in the race for Trump’s running mate in a speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year.
He has also recently come to Trump’s defense, claiming that black people like him “because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as being discriminated against.” Donalds said Trump’s various indictments are similar to what “black people had to deal with” regarding the justice system in the country.
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A spokesperson for Donalds defended the congressman, arguing that the Florida congressman is being considered as a running mate because of his “steadfast support for the 45th president and his historic policy agenda” and calling the report “weak but typical of CNN.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Donalds’s office for comment.
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Donalds do u like dome? Bc I’m gonna bring it down on you men
Since you Men tried to bring mine down on me
You motherfuckers seem to know as much about politics as you do about women
Donalds do u want me to drag you or what
You’re not really that interesting Donalds
But who am i to decipher? Im just an insignificant little woman
You think you got me by the throat but I got u by the balls u sure you wanna go down on me?
How could they do that, I was one of yours