As someone who likes former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), I was more than relieved to see the latter drop out of the Republican Presidential primary in January after the Iowa Caucus since it would mean no more of the infighting that I hated seeing between supporters of the two.
In his campaign suspension announcement, DeSantis announced his intention to support Trump in his bid to reclaim the White House, and not much has happened since then in this part of the news cycle until now.
According to NBC News, DeSantis is going to chip in on the campaign fundraising for his old rival during a retreat in South Florida's Hard Rock over the weekend.
NBC quoted a couple of DeSantis insiders and Roy Bailey, who co-chaired DeSantis's financial advisory board, who all suggested that they're good with helping along and filling Trump's coffers.
"I know where there are DeSantis supporters all over Texas and all over the country that will want to help President Trump. So that’s what I’ll try to make happen," Bailey told NBC.
Apparently, however, Team Trump was taken by surprise, although someone from his camp said, "Everyone should be working towards defeating Joe Biden and electing President Trump."
I know a pretty big rift opened between the two when DeSantis began signaling his intentions to run for president against Trump this election cycle, but the reaction from the Trump camp feels a bit unappreciative, almost like they were expecting it.
Trump himself was magnanimous when DeSantis dropped out, even saying he was officially retiring the "DeSanctimonious" nickname.
So does this reignite the possibility that America's Governor will be Trump's running mate and Vice President?
Not quite.
Back in February, Matt Margolis laid out that DeSantis becoming Trump's second-in-command is pretty unlikely for a couple of reasons beyond the whole residency thing. First, DeSantis publicly spoke about not wanting the job, especially when he has been an effective governor. Being VP would be like getting "kicked upstairs" like the TV Tropes saying since he wouldn't be doing much even though it's technically a more powerful position.
Not only that but, as Margolis said, the notoriously egotistical Trump would overshadow DeSantis and plenty of people who worked for the guy came away from the experience on less-than-good terms with him, something DeSantis cannot afford if he wants to try running again in 2028 (assuming there is a 2028).
Related: Stop Dreaming of a Trump-DeSantis Ticket
So as much as Trump-DeSantis 2024 sounds like a dream ticket, it's likely a pipe dream. Still, even though everyone who tried to run against Trump in the GOP primary was a longshot, DeSantis had the highest profile, so it would be foolish of Team Trump to not be more appreciative of the help a guy like DeSantis is offering.
It doesn't have to be a grand gesture of gratitude or an offer to be running mate but something as simple as, "Hey, America's Governor is officially back on our side! Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to help fundraise for Donald Trump because he knows we need all hands on deck to defeat Joe Biden and the Democrats this November!"
