Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing unity in the Republican Party ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
"I think when you're in these Primaries – you know, they have a dynamic – I think now we're in a position where we are unified across issues as Republicans," DeSantis told Florida Politics after he met this past weekend with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. "I think if you look at what's going on in the state of Florida, you know, we have unprecedented success that we've had in this state."
The meeting, which lasted three hours, was organized to help the men bury the hatchet and discuss potential joint fundraising efforts, according to sources detailing the private get-together. The governor, during the conversation, committed to helping Trump as he faces President Joe Biden in the general election. It ended with the two shaking hands, according to a source.
"I am very happy to have the full and enthusiastic support of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida," Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting.
"We had a great meeting yesterday, arranged by mutual friend Steve Witkoff, at his beautiful Shell Bay Club in Hollywood, Florida. The conversation mostly concerned how we would work closely together to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Also discussed was the future of Florida, which is FANTASTIC! I greatly appreciate Ron's support in taking back our Country from the Worst President in the History of the United States. November 5th is a BIG DAY!!!"
Though he endorsed Trump in a video when he dropped his bid for the GOP nomination after failing to gain traction, DeSantis has yet to campaign or fundraise on Trump's behalf. Instead, he has, at times, needled Trump, including responding to a news story about some Republicans in the Florida legislature wanting to help fund Trump's legal bills by posting, "But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen."
The GOP primary was marked by a bitter rivalry between the two men who had once been allies. Trump lambasted DeSantis as disloyal and nicknamed him Ron "DeSanctimonious," while DeSantis suggested Trump would lose again in November and said he had "lost the zip on his fastball" over the years.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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