Trump offers kind words for Matt Gaetz when asked about potential Florida governor bid
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Former President Donald Trump responded to whether Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz should run for Florida governor, offering kind words but no endorsement.
Trump made the comments to The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam.
“Matt Gaetz for Florida governor?” Trump was asked.
“Well, he’s a great guy,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s great. He’s a wonderful person. He’s strong. He went through Hell for two years over something that I never believed for a second, and he held up very strong. He was very strong.”
“A lot of guys can’t hold up to that,” the former president continued, referring to Gaetz previously facing allegations related to sex trafficking, to which the Department of Justice declined to charge the congressman.
“Now, what he goes through, I go through times times 10, but it’s OK because I see the love, I see the people, I see what we’re doing.”
Gaetz reacted to Trump’s comments, saying, “we get our strength from you, Mr. President.”
“Thank you for the kind words,” Gaetz said.
Gaetz gained a “pre-endorsement” for governor of Florida with the blessing of Donald Trump Jr. – the former president’s son – and Trump Jr.’s partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
“Matt Gaetz for governor!” Trump Jr. recently said.
“I want him to run for governor,” Guilfoyle said.
“I would definitely enjoy that job so much,” Gaetz said. “I would never leave it if I ever got that opportunity.”
Trump Jr. had said he will “pre endorse Matt Gaetz for governor Florida right now,” along with Guilfoyle.
“I’m the first endorsement of Matt, because I just want to see the meltdown,” Trump Jr. said. “The media – absolute meltdown – to that announcement.”
Gaetz responded, saying he’s “not in the race yet,” but joked he now has his “first volunteer.”
“I am the first and Kim’s the second volunteer,” Trump Jr. said.
The Florida governor’s race is far out, with Gov. Ron DeSantis only starting his second and final four-year term this past January.
The next Florida gubernatorial election takes place in 2026, with a new governor taking office in early 2027.
