Florida Governor Candidate Byron Donalds Downplays Trump Ties on Campaign Site

Key points

• Byron Donalds removed eight mentions of Trump’s endorsement from his campaign homepage, along with a photo of himself and his wife with the president and a section titled 'Enact the Trump Agenda.'
• The campaign website now features Trump’s endorsement less prominently within a rotating carousel of quotes from other figures, including Elon Musk and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
• Donalds’ race against former congressman David Jolly has tightened, with Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifting the contest from 'likely Republican' to 'leans Republican.'
• Trump’s national approval rating has fallen to approximately 36%, prompting several GOP candidates to distance themselves from the president to avoid electoral liability.
• Donalds’ campaign spokesperson Gates McGavick stated the website changes reflect a focus on affordability, insurance costs, and government transparency, while maintaining that Donalds is proud of the presidential endorsement.

Background

Byron Donalds initially launched his Florida governor campaign in February 2025 with the explicit endorsement of President Trump, branding himself as a 'Trump-Endorsed Proven Conservative Fighter.' He is seeking to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis and would become Florida’s first Black governor if elected. His opponent, David Jolly, is a former Republican congressman who officially became a Democrat in 2025. The current political climate is marked by voter frustration over the Iran war, rising gas prices, and Trump’s tariff policies, which have contributed to a drop in his approval ratings. Previous analysis suggested that Trump’s waning influence could hurt Donalds in the general election, particularly in rural counties where Donalds has shown weaker performance.

How outlets are covering it

ABC News and CNN reported that Donalds downplayed his connection to Trump by removing prominent endorsements and photos, framing the change as a strategic move to focus on policy issues amid falling approval ratings. The Washington Post detailed the specific removals, including eight mentions of the endorsement and a policy section, noting the shift coincided with a tightening race. All outlets agreed that Donalds’ campaign maintains he is proud of the endorsement, but emphasized the broader trend of Republicans distancing themselves from the unpopular president. CNN highlighted that Donalds’ supporters were already uneasy after he clinched the nomination with less than 50% of the vote, suggesting internal party divisions. The Washington Post noted the change was first reported by the Miami Herald, while ABC News and CNN focused on the strategic implications for the November election.

Why it matters

The removal of Trump references from Donalds’ campaign site signals a potential shift in Republican strategy for the 2026 midterms, as candidates weigh the risks of associating with an unpopular president. This move could influence voter turnout and perceptions in Florida, a key battleground state, and may reflect broader trends among GOP candidates seeking to mitigate electoral liabilities. The tightening race between Donalds and Jolly suggests that the outcome of the Florida governor’s race could hinge on how effectively candidates can distance themselves from Trump’s declining approval while maintaining their conservative credentials.

What to watch

Donalds will likely continue to emphasize policy issues such as affordability and government transparency in his campaign messaging, while monitoring the impact of the website changes on voter perception. The race against David Jolly is expected to intensify as the November election approaches, with both candidates focusing on key issues like insurance costs and economic stability. Trump’s approval ratings and the broader political climate will continue to influence Republican strategy, potentially leading to further distancing from the president by other candidates. The outcome of the Florida governor’s race could serve as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, indicating how effectively Republicans can navigate the challenges posed by Trump’s unpopularity.