President Donald Trump is greeted by Gov. Ron DeSantis as he arrives at "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
"Ron worked beautifully with Kristi (Noem) and all of the people at Homeland Security and got it done in how many days, Ron?" Trump said as he turned to the governor while answering reporters' questions.
"Eight days, a new facility was up and running," DeSantis responded.
FOX NEWS TAKES YOU INSIDE ‘ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ’
Following his 2022 gubernatorial re-election landslide, DeSantis moved toward running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and formally launched his White House bid in the spring of 2023.
But even before he announced his candidacy, DeSantis was repeatedly attacked by Trump and his political allies.
The long-term targeting of the governor proved successful. DeSantis was considered Trump's top threat among the field of Republican White House hopefuls. But the governor saw his support deteriorate, and he ended his presidential bid in January of last year, after a disappointing second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, far behind Trump.
President Donald Trump shares a laugh with Gov. Ron DeSantis at "Alligator Alcatraz" on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
But some top figures in Trump's political orbit, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, may still hold unflattering opinions of the governor.
Wiles was once a top DeSantis political advisor before a very bitter falling out.
And in a sign of political friction, Trump-ally Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida also attended Tuesday's event.
Donalds earlier this year launched a bid to succeed the term-limited DeSantis in Florida's 2026 gubernatorial election, and he landed Trump's endorsement even before he announced his candidacy.
DeSantis' wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, has been mulling a run for governor of her own, and her husband earlier this year said she would be a worthy successor.
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Asked by reporters if Casey DeSantis should run for governor, the president would only say "we get along great."
Ron DeSantis quickly interjected, noting that "I endorsed him immediately, in January 2024. I raised one of his PACs millions and millions of dollars."
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-his-relationship-one-time-rival-desantis-now-9-9