Trump is in ‘silent war’ with DeSantis and Florida Governor’s hands are tied
Florida – There is a clear change happening in Florida’s Republican political scene. Tensions between former President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis are boiling beneath the surface, quietly changing the power structure of the state’s GOP. What had looked like a united front is now starting to show signs of strain. Trump’s allies are taking center stage, not just on the national stage but also more and more in DeSantis’ own backyard.
At the Florida Republican Party’s premier event of the year, hosted at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel in Orlando, the mood made it plainly obvious who now commands the spotlight. Susie Wiles, who has been a close friend of Trump’s for a long time and is now his chief of staff, won the “Statesman of the Year” award. DeSantis had held the title before. Her participation and the compliments she got from party officials sent a bigger message: Trump’s power over Florida Republicans is now greater than that of the current governor.
Many speakers praised Wiles, with some dubbing her the “most powerful woman in the world.” This showed that the disparity between the Trump and DeSantis camps is getting bigger. A lot of the people who are now with Trump used to work closely with DeSantis but then broke up with him. Trump’s supporters took over the weekend event, which used to be a political stronghold for the governor. This shows how swiftly the state GOP has moved on from its longtime favorite.
DeSantis’ slide from favor in his own party has been swift. After winning a clear reelection in 2022, he turned his attention to running for president, using his power in Florida to gain support. But that national goal clashed with Trump’s strong hold on the Republican base, which led to a failed primary attempt and a loss of power back home.
It has become more and more clear that his status has fallen. DeSantis received surprise opposition from the Republican-controlled state Legislature on a critical immigration issue earlier this year. This was a rare pushback that showed that his grip on Florida’s political machinery was starting to weaken.
DeSantis doesn’t have a clear successor as the 2026 gubernatorial election gets closer. The candidate now leading the race is Congressman Byron Donalds, a Trump-endorsed conservative who has quickly risen in popularity and already gathered more than $22 million in campaign donations. Trump’s early support for Donalds changed the campaign a lot, especially for undecided voters who had been leaning toward a possible run by Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife.
Casey had been the early frontrunner in late 2023 polling, but Donalds has since erased her lead following Trump’s vocal support. Despite speculation about her intentions, Casey has made no move to enter the race, leaving the field open for Donalds to consolidate support.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott, a former Florida governor, just endorsed Donalds. This is another indicator that the Trump camp is becoming more powerful. Scott called him a “principled conservative” and talked about Donalds’ record on hurricane relief and tax reform, making sure that his vision was in line with Trump’s overall approach. Donalds responded with gratitude, promising to uphold conservative priorities if elected governor.
Thank you @ScottforFlorida for your support!
You have been an incredible leader for our state and it’s been an honor to fight alongside you on Capitol Hill.
As Governor, I look forward to working with you and President Trump to strengthen Florida and Make America Great Again. https://t.co/TzJ7SO8twH pic.twitter.com/Vw0GiD61TX
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) August 1, 2025
The new partnership of Trump, Scott, and Donalds, all of whom have strong ties to Florida politics, casts a long shadow over DeSantis. While the governor stays in office through 2026, his influence over the future of the state GOP is increasingly limited.
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Caught between the legacy of his national ambitions and the growing power of Trump’s circle in Florida, DeSantis is now trying to find his way through a political landscape where his former allies have grown distant and his alternatives seem to be getting smaller. The quiet fight between the two Republican heavyweights is no longer just a backstage fight; it’s happening in front of everyone. And for now, DeSantis can’t do anything.
