Ron DeSantis’ Top Donors and Supporters Convene in Palm Beach, Fla., With Presence of Longtime Trump Backers
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Over the weekend, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hosted a high-profile three-day retreat at the Four Seasons hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. The event was attended by around 150 people, including some of former President Donald Trump’s top donors and supporters. The retreat, billed as a celebration of the “Florida blueprint,” comes ahead of a possible presidential bid by DeSantis, which would put him in direct competition with Trump.
Among the notable attendees spotted at the event were Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who participated in a panel discussion moderated by DeSantis on the “medical establishment.” Johnson has long been a staunch ally of Trump and attempted to arrange for a list of fake electors backing Trump to be handed to then-Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6, 2021. However, a spokesperson for Johnson clarified that he does not intend to endorse in the primary.
Arizona Republican Jim Lamon, a solar energy executive and Trump donor who aggressively aligned himself with the former president during his unsuccessful 2022 Senate bid, was also seen at the retreat. Lamon was involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results showing President Joe Biden defeated Trump. He was one of 11 GOP electors who signed a document claiming to be Arizona’s legitimate electors, which was mailed to the Senate and the National Archives.
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, who once was considered as a potential Trump pick to be CIA director, appeared on a DeSantis-moderated panel with conservative commentator Ann Coulter and Texas Representative Chip Roy. Cotton long allied himself with Trump but broke with him when he voted to certify the 2020 election.
Mick Mulvaney, who was Trump’s acting White House chief of staff, also attended the DeSantis retreat. Mulvaney left the administration following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and he has been critical of the former president’s decision to wage a 2024 comeback, saying Trump is “the only Republican who could lose” the election.
In addition to these notable attendees, several other major figures in the Republican donor world also attended DeSantis’ event. Roy Bailey, a longtime Texas fundraiser who helped lead Trump’s campaign finance committee, was present. The event also included several of DeSantis’ fellow governors, including Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who were both backed by Trump in their respective reelection campaigns.
The retreat represents a significant step in DeSantis’ increasing national profile. The governor recently published a new book, and this past week, he appeared before law enforcement officers in Philadelphia, New York City, and Chicago. DeSantis is also benefiting from a newly launched nonprofit group that could promote his policies. Although he made no mention of a presidential run at the event, many attendees expressed their eagerness to see him do so.
The retreat ended with DeSantis holding a panel discussion with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Reynolds, who chairs the Republican Governors Association, has also appeared with former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott in Iowa. Meanwhile, other potential presidential candidates gathered in Austin, Texas, for a donor conference organized by longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove. All of these events signal that the 2024 presidential race is already underway, and DeSantis is positioning himself as a major contender.
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I am never voting for DeSantis for president. I did vote for him twice for governor. He is a RINO because he LIED to us and raised our taxes (sales tax) and now lied to us again because he said he would not run in 2024 if he we elected him for a 2nd Gov term in November which we did. Also Desantis is completely surrounded by, endorsed by and funded by RINOs like Jeb Bush.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns. It’s important to carefully consider the track record and policies of candidates before casting your vote. While Governor DeSantis may have raised taxes and made decisions that you disagree with, it’s also worth considering his overall performance and impact on the state of Florida. As for his potential candidacy for president in 2024, that will ultimately be up to voters to decide. It’s important to stay informed and engaged in the political process to make the best decisions for yourself and your community.