In a recent gathering of donors and supporters, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pledged his commitment to raising funds for former presidential contender Donald Trump, according to two sources privy to the details who spoke to CNN.
“He’s fully committed to supporting Trump in any possible way,” stated Texas businessman Roy Bailey, an attendee at the retreat. “We are eager to follow his lead and do everything within our power to ensure Trump’s election.”
Bailey further emphasized the importance of mobilizing their donors for Trump’s cause. “Our goal is to fuel Trump’s campaign and ensure that President Joe Biden does not secure a second term,” he added.
The appreciation retreat, hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, was an exclusive event for major donors, top fundraisers, and finance committee members of the DeSantis campaign. Both DeSantis and his wife, Casey, were present.
The retreat coincided with the weekend when Trump’s campaign announced a record-breaking $50.5 million fundraising haul at a Mar-a-Lago event.
DeSantis, who endorsed Trump in the Republican primary after ending his own presidential bid in January, has not been seen at any of Trump’s campaign events since. When asked in a March press conference if he would join Trump on the campaign trail, DeSantis highlighted Florida’s decreasing competitiveness.
“Florida is no longer a battleground state, and that’s the reality. I don’t foresee much campaigning here for the top of the ticket,” DeSantis stated. “As for how I can assist on a national level, I’m still figuring that out.”
NBC News was the first to report on DeSantis’s plans to fundraise for Trump.