{"id":2403397,"date":"2025-02-17T13:39:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T18:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-hints-at-byron-donalds-endorsement-in-2026-florida-governor-race\/"},"modified":"2025-02-17T13:41:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T18:41:16","slug":"trump-hints-at-byron-donalds-endorsement-in-2026-florida-governor-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-hints-at-byron-donalds-endorsement-in-2026-florida-governor-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump hints at Byron Donalds endorsement in 2026 Florida governor race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-hints-at-byron-donalds-endorsement-in-2026-florida-governor-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2403397&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent update, President Donald Trump expressed early support for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in the 2026 gubernatorial race in Florida, sharing favorable polling results that \u2062suggest donalds leads potential challengers. A poll by Victory Insights indicated that Donalds garnered 31% support, significantly outpacing other candidates such as Lt. gov. Jeanette Nu\u00f1ez and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, \u2062who received single-digit percentages. While Trump has not officially endorsed any\u2062 candidate yet,his acknowledgment of Donalds&#8217; strong standing signifies \u200cpotential backing.<\/p>\n<p>During a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-viral-image-claims-nancy-pelosi-was-executed\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Viral Image Claims Nancy Pelosi Was Executed\">recent public appearance<\/a>, Donalds remained non-committal about his 2026 plans, emphasizing that no one\u200d is currently\u200c in the race. He noted it was &#8220;cool&#8221; to be leading in polls against possible contenders and remarked on a fray in his relationship\u200d with Gov. Ron DeSantis after backing Trump over the governor in the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200cpolitical landscape\u2063 for the Republican nomination is evolving, with Donalds previously \u200cleading polls against other prominent Republicans including matt Gaetz, who is rumored to be considering a gubernatorial run despite ongoing ethical scrutiny.Additionally, Casey DeSantis, Florida&#8217;s \u2064first\u200b lady, has reportedly garnered support from GOP donors to enter the race, although Gov. DeSantis \u2062clarified that she is \u200dnot pursuing this path.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump gives early nod at possible Donalds endorsement in 2026 Florida governor race<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1994522\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> shared early polling results for the 2026 gubernatorial race in Florida favoring Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/byron-donalds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Byron Donalds <\/a>(R-FL) on Monday, the first time the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"Trump taking Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex-WH doctor explains\">president<\/a> has indicated any level of support for a candidate since retaking the White House.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/VictoryPolling\/status\/1884617352068612496\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">poll<\/a> from Victory Insights found Donalds &ldquo;far ahead&rdquo; of other contenders in a hypothetical primary, with the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Florida<\/a> congressman receiving 31% support. Others, including Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nu&ntilde;ez, state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">received single-digit support<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Trump shared the poll&rsquo;s results and a list of Donalds&rsquo;s &ldquo;notable committed supporters&rdquo; to his Truth Social account Monday. He has not made any endorsement in the race, and Donalds is not officially a contender, though the congressman has made several indications he will run to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who terms out in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>    <iframe src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/114019976449236566\/embed\" class=\"truthsocial-embed\" style=\"max-width: 100%; border: 0\" width=\"600\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/embed.js\" async=\"async\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>Donalds sidestepped a question on his plans for 2026 during his recent appearance on HBO&rsquo;s <em>Real Time with Bill Maher<\/em>, a controversial visit that led the congressman to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3317575\/house-proxy-voting-debate-reignites-byron-donalds-accused-voter-fraud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">accused of proxy voting<\/a>, which is against House rules.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Nobody&rsquo;s in the race right now, so we&rsquo;ll see what happens,&rdquo; Donalds said.<\/p>\n<p>The congressman said it was &ldquo;really cool&rdquo; to see him polling ahead of possible gubernatorial candidates on <em>PBD Podcast <\/em>and noted his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3305883\/byron-donalds-admits-friendship-desantis-frayed-endorsing-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">relationship with DeSantis &ldquo;frayed&rdquo;<\/a> after Donalds endorsed Trump over the governor in the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<p>Donalds also led the Victory Insights poll a year ago, outperforming possible candidates including Matt Gaetz, Mike Waltz, and Jimmy Patronis. With Waltz in the administration and Patronis on track to replace Gaetz in the House of Representatives, the field is clearing up for Donalds to clinch the Republican nomination.<\/p>\n<p>In Donalds&rsquo;s way to an easy primary win is Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination for attorney general after it was clear his selection was marred by numerous ethics investigations against him. The former congressman-turned-conservative talk show host <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabay.com\/news\/florida-politics\/2025\/01\/07\/matt-gaetz-i-am-starting-think-about-running-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">told<\/a> the <em>Tampa Bay Times <\/em>in January he was &ldquo;starting to think about running for governor,&rdquo; arguing he has a &ldquo;compelling vision for the state.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A primary fight between Donalds and Gaetz would place Trump in the middle of a tug-of-war for his endorsement, with both men being staunch Trump supporters over the years. Donalds has the likeability factor on his side, as Gaetz was infamously known for making few friends during his time in Washington and angering both Republicans and Democrats with his antics over the years.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz&rsquo;s gubernatorial bid would also come under the cloud of the damning ethics report released by the House Ethics Committee that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3267103\/gaetz-ethics-report-substantial-evidence-paid-sex-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thomas-matthew-crooks-breached-secret-service-security-with-a-gun-part-raising-concerns-about-trumps-safety\/\" title=\"Thomas Matthew Crooks breached Secret Service security with a gun part, raising concerns about Trump&#039;s safety\">found &#038;ldquo<\/a>;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/george-santos-fraud-case-heads-to-court-again-after-pretrial-setbacks-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"George Santos fraud case heads to court again after pretrial setbacks - Washington Examiner\">substantial evidence&#038;rdquo<\/a>;<\/a> that he used illegal drugs, accepted gifts outside of allowable limits, paid women for sex, and had sex with a 17-year-old girl during his time in Congress.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is also reportedly being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/elections\/casey-desantis-considers-running-florida-governor-push-top-donors-rcna191075\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">pushed by top GOP donors<\/a> to run for the governorship, but the governor has said &ldquo;she&rsquo;s not seeking to do anything.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But it&rsquo;s flattering that people are asking her to do it,&rdquo; Gov. DeSantis <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3318079\/ron-desantis-rumors-wife-casey-running-governor-flattering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">said<\/a> last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1994522\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1994522\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump hints at supporting Donalds in 2026 Florida governor race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2403398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP24292780258960.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32322,13348,3634],"class_list":["post-2403397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-byron-donalds","tag-endorsement","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/AP24292780258960.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2403397"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2403401,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2403397\/revisions\/2403401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2403398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2403397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2403397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2403397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}