Former President Donald Trump has shared his enthusiastic endorsement of Representative Matt Gaetz amid growing rumors of Gaetz considering a run for Florida Governor.
In a recent interview with The National Pulse, Trump responded positively to questions about Gaetz’s political aspirations, offering strong words of support. “Well, he’s a great guy. I mean, he’s great. He’s a wonderful person. He’s strong,” Trump stated.
Gaetz, a staunch ally of Trump, has faced scrutiny in recent years, which the former President acknowledged. “He went through hell for two years over something that I never believed for a second. And he held up very strong,” Trump added. “A lot of guys can’t hold up to that.”
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Comparing their shared experiences in the political spotlight and the criticisms they’ve endured, Trump commented, “Now what he goes through, I go through times ten.” However, he remained optimistic, highlighting the support he receives from the public, saying, “It’s okay because I see the love, I see the people, I see what we’re doing.”
The strong endorsement from Trump is expected to boost Gaetz’s potential candidacy for Governor. Their longstanding political alignment and mutual support since Trump’s presidency have been evident.
While Gaetz has not officially announced his intention to run for Governor, political experts believe that Trump’s endorsement could be a significant advantage in a Republican primary in Florida. Recent events in Tallahassee, including a reception for the incoming Speaker of the Florida House, have fueled speculation further.
The speculation surrounding Gaetz’s gubernatorial aspirations intensified when he attended a reception in September hosted by Florida Republican State Rep. Danny Perez. During the event, Gaetz appeared to be the center of attention and dropped hints about his intentions to run for Governor, as confirmed by four attendees to NBC News.
A veteran Florida Republican lobbyist who attended the event remarked, “There was a lot of talk about it at the reception last night, and Gaetz was telling people to basically expect him to be in.”
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While Gaetz has not ruled out a gubernatorial run, he clarified his current political focus to NBC News, stating, “Many did encourage me to consider running for governor one day. But we have an outstanding governor who will be in that position through 2026. My only political focus right now is Trump 2024.”
Gaetz’s relationship with the current Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, has had its ups and downs. Trump’s influence in Florida politics, however, remains significant, with his endorsement playing a pivotal role in DeSantis’s victory in the 2018 Republican primary.
John Morgan, a prominent Florida trial attorney and Democratic political donor, expressed his opinion on Gaetz’s chances, stating to NBC, “I think he will. He will be running in a large field. He could win with 30 percent. Trump’s endorsement alone gets him that.”
A Florida GOP operative echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Trump would undoubtedly support Gaetz. “He’s 100 percent in. I think Gaetz is an instant front-runner, and from what I hear, he’s already won the Trump primary.”
In addition to his political ambitions, Gaetz remains a prominent figure in Washington, frequently vocalizing his disagreements with fellow Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
