Ron DeSantis, Trump's friend turned foe, eyes 2028 US presidential run

After a bruising defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is quietly laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential campaign to test his political comeback. According to a report by the New York Post, the governor has stepped up national outreach efforts, refining his pitch to donors and party insiders while attempting to rebuild ties within a party still dominated by Trump.

DeSantis has repositioned himself as a viable post-Trump contender without isolating the MAGA base that once turned against him. Trump himself has softened his stance, but many of his loyalists are sceptical of whether DeSantis can fully recover from the scars of the last primary cycle.

He has been appearing at major policy and donor events while signalling openness to a future presidential run. Speaking earlier this week, he hinted at a long-term political horizon. "I’m in my mid-40s. 2028, you know, maybe beyond that, I think that there’s a lot of runway," DeSantis said when asked about his ambitions.

"Who knows? Like, you never know," he added, before pointing to his record in Florida.

"Who took a state that had more Democrats than Republicans by 300,000 when he got elected (in 2018), and now has 1.5 million more Republicans?" DeSantis asked. "Who had a state that had a trillion-dollar economy and now has $1.8 trillion? So we’ve got a good story to tell."

Republicans, however, believe the effort is less exploratory than it appears. "It’s not been a secret he’s running," one GOP source told the Post.

BACK IN STEP WITH TRUMP ALLIES

Since his 2024 defeat, DeSantis has worked to repair relations with Trump, which is a critical step given the president’s influence over the Republican Party. The two have been seen together in recent months, which could be a thaw after a campaign marked by sharp attacks and personal insults.

Trump, who once mocked DeSantis with nicknames during the primary, has recently struck a conciliatory tone. "I think he’s good -- doing a good job," Trump said.

Furthermore, DeSantis has also done things that benefit Trump politically. He backed legislation that may boost the chances of Republicans in elections. Such actions have been seen as part of a strategy to restore his relationship with the members of the Trump administration.

MAGA BASE DIVIDED OVER DESANTIS

Despite signs of reconciliation at the top, resistance within the MAGA base remains a major hurdle. Some Trump allies have questioned DeSantis’s ability to win over core supporters who viewed his 2024 challenge as disloyal.

"Team Trump is chomping at the bit to destroy DeSantis one more time," a longtime Trump operative told the Post.

Others have been more dismissive, questioning both his political instincts and personal appeal.

JD VANCE EMERGES AS EARLY FAVOURITE

Meanwhile, alternative contenders are already emerging. JD Vance is seen as a strong early favourite, while Marco Rubio has also gained support among party insiders. "It’s JD’s race to lose right now," a former DeSantis aide said, though they acknowledged that the landscape could shift before the next primary cycle.

For the time being, however, DeSantis finds himself delicately poised in a delicate political reset. It is an art form that requires him to strike a balance between ambition and discretion inside a party led by Trump.

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