Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met in Miami on Sunday, marking their first encounter since DeSantis suspended his unsuccessful presidential campaign in January. A Republican insider confirmed the private meeting, shedding light on its significance within the Republican Party’s dynamics and the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The meeting, set up by Florida real estate broker Steve Witkoff, lasted several hours and focused on strategizing to close the fundraising gap between Trump and President Biden ahead of their anticipated rematch in the 2024 election. DeSantis, who boasts a robust network of wealthy donors following his successful reelection in 2022, has agreed to support Trump in his fundraising efforts.
The reunion highlights the recovering relationship between the two Republican figures, particularly in the aftermath of DeSantis’s failed bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Despite their previous rivalry and public jousting during the primary, the pair seem to have buried the hatchet to advance their mutual interests.
DeSantis’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign just before the New Hampshire primary came as a surprise to many. Since then, he has endorsed Trump. After DeSantis’ reluctant endorsement in January, Trump announced that would “officially retire” the derogatory “Ron DeSanctimonious” moniker he used to belittle the Florida governor for nearly a year. The meeting in Miami marks a significant development in their relationship, as the two reconnect in the wake of a particularly rocky primary season.
While Trump and his allies had previously criticized DeSantis during the nomination race, the former president’s willingness to collaborate with the Florida governor suggests he aims to take pragmatic approach to consolidating support within the party. Trump has reiterated that he wants to not only unify the Republican Party under his leadership, but the whole of the country. Mending bridges with his political opponents, at least within the GOP, shows Trump is willing to set aside personal differences to maximize his hopes of victory against Biden in 2024.
The meeting also comes as Trump’s 2024 campaign grapples with fundraising concerns due to the expensive costs of Trump’s legal battles. Biden’s camp has raised $188.8 million from his campaign committee compared to Trump’s $179.2 million. With President Biden maintaining a formidable fundraising advantage, particularly in the wake of his incumbency, closing the gap will be essential for Trump’s electoral prospects. DeSantis’s extensive donor network presents a valuable asset in this regard, potentially bolstering Trump’s financial resources as the election cycle heats up.
While DeSantis has yet to campaign for Trump since endorsing him in the primary, that may change in the coming months as he seeks to re-align his camp behind the former president. Facing an uphill battle against Biden, Trump needs all the allies he can get going into 2024.