Ron DeSantis Trashes Trump-Endorsed Byron Donalds Amid Reports His Wife Will Run for Governor Against Him

AP Photo/File

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a swipe at Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) just days after President Donald Trump threw his full support behind the congressman, with the incumbent hyping up his own wife, Casey DeSantis, for Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

Speaking on Monday, the Florida governor reportedly snubbed Donalds for having spent time outside the state.

“Byron hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the Left over these last years. He’s been in other states campaigning,” DeSantis said during a presser, according to Floridian Press reporter Liv Caputo.

In response to questions from reporters, DeSantis continued to praise his wife as a potential candidate, arguing “She would do better than me. She has the dedication to conservative principles – anything we’ve accomplished, she’d be able to take to the next level.”

The quip comes just days after Trump made it clear he wants Donalds in the race amid reports, per Caputo, that DeSantis was hoping to lobby the president to endorse his wife.

In a Thursday night Truth Social post, Trump gave Donalds his “Complete and Total Endorsement” if he decides to run, promising the congressman would have a “BIG Voice” in pushing the MAGA agenda.

“Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote. “He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

“RUN, BYRON, RUN!” the president added.

Donalds has represented Florida’s 19th congressional district since 2021 and is one of Trump’s staunchest allies in the House. Trump’s early endorsement of Donalds all but guarantees another proxy struggle between the MAGA wing of the party and DeSantis loyalists.