Ron DeSantis se ha convertido en un aliado clave de Trump. ¿Se postulará para 2028 en el futuro? – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis summoned state lawmakers to the capital this week, unveiling a boldly redrawn congressional map that tilts midterm battlegrounds toward Republicans. The move showcased his command over a GOP-dominated legislature and marked a sharp pivot in service of President Donald Trump, the man who derailed his own White House bid. With his second term winding down, DeSantis appears to be leveraging his influence to rebuild bridges and position himself for what comes next.
A Swift Win on Redistricting
DeSantis pressed hard for the new district lines, which could deliver four extra House seats to Republicans this fall. Lawmakers approved the plan quickly, rescuing a national GOP strategy that had faltered elsewhere. This display of raw political muscle echoed the tactics DeSantis once wielded in cultural battles that propelled him toward a presidential run.
Now, that authority bends toward Trump. Observers noted the governor’s speed and effectiveness. Mike Davis, a longtime Trump legal adviser who once mocked DeSantis’ campaign, posted on X: “Once again, America’s best governor delivers. And fast.”
The approval drew praise from Trump allies who had opposed DeSantis during the 2024 primaries. Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist who raised money for both men, said finishing strong would shape the governor’s legacy and future perceptions more than anything else.
Key Collaborations Fuel the Alliance
Over the past 16 months, DeSantis has proven vital to Trump’s priorities beyond Florida’s borders. He ramped up state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including a statewide sweep that unsettled even conservative sheriffs. The governor also opened a detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” amid the Everglades.
Other efforts aligned closely with White House goals. DeSantis launched a Florida efficiency agency modeled on federal plans, echoed calls to drop school vaccine mandates, aided revisions to college athlete pay rules, and handed over prime Miami waterfront land for Trump’s presidential library. White House spokesman Davis Ingle said Trump appreciates the work and ongoing partnership to advance an “America First” agenda.
These steps come as DeSantis’ term ends in January, leaving him at a crossroads: a role in the Trump administration or groundwork for a post-Trump Republican landscape. Both paths hinge on presidential goodwill.
Presidential Dreams Linger
DeSantis has not hidden his White House aspirations. When Fox host Sean Hannity asked if he would run again, the governor replied cryptically: “We’ll see.” He has tested messaging centered on his conservative record, telling interviewer Graham Bensinger that after eight years in Tallahassee, few could claim greater impact.
In the same conversation, DeSantis argued his 2024 effort would have triumphed without Trump’s return. He finished second in Iowa’s GOP caucuses with 21 percent, just ahead of Nikki Haley, before endorsing Trump and exiting the race. Supporters in early states had promised future backing, he recounted.
Yet skeptics, including some from his own team, blamed strategic missteps for the campaign’s collapse, calling it the worst Republican presidential bid in history. Rebuilding remains daunting.
Obstacles and Opportunities
DeSantis lacks a robust political operation, and donors hesitate amid rising stars like Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Still, he has warmed ties with Trump through golf outings and public praise. Trump once called him a friend during a joint event.
The governor has outpaced Trump on some MAGA priorities, like blocking H-1B visa holders from state university jobs and curbing AI through state limits, diverging from Vance’s tech-friendly stance. A confidant said DeSantis watches closely and would jump if an opening arises, especially if GOP voters sour on the current lineup.
Cabinet speculation swirls around vacancies at Justice, Homeland Security, and Labor. DeSantis eyes Defense Secretary but faces resistance from Trump’s inner circle, including Susie Wiles and James Blair, former aides turned foes after a bitter split. One source noted Vance overhearing Trump advisers’ disdain: “You guys really hate Ron DeSantis.” DeSantis told Bensinger he remains open to service: “I never rule anything out.”
His decision to skip Trump’s Florida rally Friday, despite an invitation, underscores lingering tensions. A Trump fundraiser told CNN no thaw has occurred with the president’s closest advisers. As DeSantis maneuvers, his value to Trump may yet open doors – or keep them firmly shut.
