Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) sparred in the Republican presidential primary before the Florida politician suspended his campaign.
It appeared unlikely that their relationship could recover from their primary squabbles, but the two recently shared a call described as “warm and gracious” in front of GOP donors as the party attempts to catch up to President Joe Biden in fundraising.
Trump reportedly said, “Ron, I love that you’re back,” on the call as DeSantis gathered with allies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The pair spoke about one of Trump’s favorite hobbies, golf, as well.
The report is one of the first major signs that the pair are headed for a reconciliation, at least in appearance. It may not be coincidental that it was in front of donors, as Trump trails Biden’s campaign war chest significantly.
Trump outraised Biden by $76 million to $51 million in April, the first time in recent months that Biden couldn’t rake in more money than his Republican opponent. A recovered Trump-DeSantis relationship could also help the former president’s image among Florida voters who reelected DeSantis as governor in 2022 by nearly 20 points.
Some DeSantis donors had reportedly been reluctant to give money to Trump because they worried their money would help pay Trump’s lawyers in his criminal cases instead of being used directly to focus on beating Biden.
DeSantis had been raising money with his top donors for Super PAC Right for America, which is backed by big Republican donors, some of whom would rather donate to DeSantis than Trump.
The appearance of the recovered relationship could also appeal to a small section of voters, around 13%, who preferred DeSantis in a poll taken at the beginning of April.
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Florida, once a decisive swing state, has continued to lean right this election cycle, with Trump claiming the state in 2016 and 2020. The Cook Political Report rates the state “Likely Republican” in the general election.
In another show of GOP support, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another prominent Republican primary rival of Trump, recently said she would vote for the former president.
