Trump and DeSantis Meet Privately in Miami, Signaling Potential Alliance

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met privately in Miami, breaking a years-long chill between the two Republican leaders. Allies brokered the meeting in hopes of a potential détente between the two men, with Trump’s advisers hoping DeSantis will tap into his donor network to help raise significant sums of money for the general election.

The meeting, which lasted several hours, was described as friendly by a person with direct knowledge. DeSantis, who has built a wide network of wealthy patrons, could be valuable in helping Trump close the fundraising gap with President Biden and his allies.

There is an incentive for DeSantis to form a closer relationship with Trump as well, as he eyes his political future. DeSantis, who dropped out of the primary after a disappointing finish in Iowa, has been viewed as weakened after facing attacks from Trump and his supporters. The meeting was orchestrated by a Florida real estate broker known to both men.

Despite their past differences, Trump endorsed DeSantis in 2018 and once viewed him as a rising star in the party. DeSantis, who is potentially interested in running for president again in 2028, held an event for donors recently and could play a crucial role in Trump’s fundraising efforts.

While the two men have not been personally close, Trump has shown a willingness to be forgiving and transactional when it benefits him. The meeting marks a significant development in the relationship between the former president and the Florida governor, with potential implications for the upcoming election cycle.