President Donald Trump endorsed Republican congressman Byron Donalds in the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race, dealing a major blow to current Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis’ bid to succeed her husband.

Byron Donalds is a consistent Trump ally who briefly and admirably ran for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2022 midterms when his fellow America First rabble-rouser Matt Gaetz was trying to defeat Kevin McCarthy. Donalds got 20 votes for Speaker on the fourth ballot. Gaetz was rumored to be looking into the Florida governor’s race himself, following his exit from Congress. But without a Trump endorsement for the governorship, it looks likelier that Gaetz might try to challenge DeSantis-picked placeholder senator Ashley Moody in the U.S. Senate race.

Right now, Casey DeSantis is a visible contender for the governorship, but her husband ran afoul of President Trump by running against him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump easily defeated the man he labeled “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Since then, Ron DeSantis’ political career has suffered from the perception that he is part of the RINO establishment. Trump is clearly not impressed with Ron DeSantis’ wife.

“I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024. I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!,” President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social on Thursday.

“Byron has a great wife, Erika, and three beautiful sons. They are very proud of him! As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. 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,” President Trump stated.

“Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!,” President Trump stated.