Florida’s political chess game heats up as the DeSantises met with Trump amid rumors of Casey’s potential gubernatorial run, while Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for the same position.
At a Glance
- Ron and Casey DeSantis played golf and had lunch with Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club
- Speculation is growing that Casey DeSantis may run for Florida governor when Ron’s term ends
- Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for the governor’s race
- Ron DeSantis has publicly praised his wife as a potential successor who could achieve more than he did
- Casey cryptically responded to gubernatorial run questions with a Yogi Berra quote: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”
Power Lunch on the Putting Green
The political maneuvering in Florida just got a whole lot more interesting. Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis recently teed up with former President Donald Trump at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, sharing not just golf swings but lunch as well. This isn’t just any social call – it’s happening right as speculation reaches fever pitch about Casey’s potential bid to succeed her husband as Florida’s governor when his term ends, adding another layer to the already complex relationship between the DeSantis and Trump camps.
The timing couldn’t be more strategic. With Trump already throwing his considerable weight behind Rep. Byron Donalds for the upcoming gubernatorial race, this golf outing signals the DeSantises aren’t backing down easily. While neither camp has officially confirmed what was discussed over sandwiches and putting tips, the political implications are impossible to ignore. Are we witnessing a reconciliation between former rivals, or a carefully orchestrated power play in Florida’s political landscape?
Casey’s Cryptic Response Fuels Speculation
When directly questioned about her potential gubernatorial ambitions, Casey DeSantis channeled baseball legend Yogi Berra with the cryptic response: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” That’s hardly a denial, and in the world of political speak, it’s practically an announcement. The First Lady has carefully built her own political brand during her husband’s administration, championing mental health initiatives and establishing herself as a formidable conservative voice independent of her husband’s considerable shadow.
“To quote the late and great Yogi Berra: ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.'” – Casey DeSantis
Meanwhile, Rep. Byron Donalds has already announced his candidacy, bolstered by Trump’s endorsement. This puts the DeSantises in a delicate position – how to navigate a potential Casey run without directly challenging Trump’s preferred candidate. The golf outing suggests they’re working to maintain relationships while possibly setting the stage for what could become an interesting primary battle with significant implications for the Republican Party’s future direction in Florida.
Ron’s Ringing Endorsement and Rush Limbaugh’s Blessing
Governor DeSantis hasn’t been shy about promoting his wife as his potential successor, suggesting she would not only continue his conservative policies but potentially exceed his own accomplishments. In what appears to be a calculated move, DeSantis has publicly recounted that conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh himself had endorsed Casey as preferable to him for the governor’s office – a powerful posthumous blessing in conservative circles.
“His eyes are lighting up because Rush would always say the spouses are more liberal, and it pulls the office holder to the left. And on this case, he’s saying, like, that is not true. And so at the end of the dinner, he put his finger in my chest. He’s like, the only person I would rather have as my governor than you is her. And he pointed to her, and I was like, that’s a pretty good endorsement there.” – Ron DeSantis
DeSantis has also taken aim at Donalds’ candidacy, questioning the wisdom of a sitting congressman campaigning while important votes are happening in Washington. “We have such a narrow majority that to be trying to campaign other places and missing these votes, I think, is not something that’s advisable at all,” DeSantis remarked, effectively questioning Donalds’ commitment to his current responsibilities while positioning Casey as the logical choice to continue Florida’s conservative transformation.
Draft by: Claude
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Quotes:
“To quote the late and great Yogi Berra: ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.'” … Source #1
“We have such a narrow majority that to be trying to campaign other places and missing these votes, I think, is not something that’s advisable at all. And so the reality is we’ve achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there.” … Source #1
“His eyes are lighting up because Rush would always say the spouses are more liberal, and it pulls the office holder to the left. And on this case, he’s saying, like, that is not true. And so at the end of the dinner, he put his finger in my chest. He’s like, the only person I would rather have as my governor than you is her. And he pointed to her, and I was like, that’s a pretty good endorsement there.” … Source #1
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