Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds is running for governor. As this fall’s elections draw near, an increasing number of Republicans are seeking to distance themselves from the increasingly unpopular Donald Trump. Donalds has removed multiple references to Trump from his campaign website.
Archived versions of the site show that earlier this month, the homepage prominently featured Trump’s endorsement, describing Donalds as “a proven conservative warrior endorsed by Trump,” accompanied by a photo of Trump with Donalds and his wife.
The updated version of the site downplays Trump’s endorsement, replacing it with a slideshow highlighting praise from figures including tech billionaire Elon Musk, late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump’s endorsement has been moved to a dedicated “Endorsements” section of the website.
Donalds’ campaign spokesperson minimized the significance of the website changes, stating that Donalds “is honored to have the support of President Trump and has concrete policy proposals to address the issues most important to Floridians.” White House spokesperson Ian S. Ingalls said: “President Trump is the clear leader of the Republican Party, its strongest advocate, and an unparalleled motivator.”
This shift comes amid growing concerns among Republicans that Trump’s unpopularity could undermine their prospects in November’s elections and disrupt the decade-long dominance he has exerted within the party. Another Florida Republican, Congresswoman Maria Salazar, has recently aired advertisements criticizing Trump’s immigration enforcement actions as having gone too far. Last week, two Iowa congressional candidates facing tough re-election races cast votes to limit Trump’s authority over potential military action in Iran. A new CNN/SSRS poll shows only 26% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the Iran situation.
Donalds is a staunch conservative aiming to succeed Ron DeSantis, whose term is ending, in becoming Florida’s first Black governor. He faces former congressman David Jolly, who left the Republican Party in 2018 and formally joined the Democratic Party last year. Democrats have not won a Florida gubernatorial race in nearly three decades, but are now mounting a strategic effort to capitalize on Trump’s declining popularity, targeting competitive races in Kansas, Texas, and Florida. According to CNN’s “Poll Tracker,” Trump’s national approval rating averages around 36%.
Donalds’ decision to tone down Trump’s presence on his website reflects a common risk-averse maneuver among Republican candidates under electoral pressure. While Trump remains a potent mobilizing force within the party, his national approval stands at just under 36%, and support drops to 26% on issues such as Iran—making him a liability in swing districts and among independent voters.
Donalds must rely on Trump’s base to win the Republican primary while also appealing to moderates in the general election. His strategy—retaining endorsements while reducing visual prominence—allows for continuity without overt disengagement. The White House’s high-profile defense of Trump underscores the broader reality that no prominent Republican is willing to publicly sever ties with him.
The Democratic Party seeks to nationalize local contests, leveraging Trump’s low approval ratings to gain ground in states like Florida. Yet Florida has not elected a Democratic governor in nearly 30 years, giving Donalds a structural advantage. Ultimately, the November election will test not only Donalds’ ability to balance competing constituencies, but also whether Trump’s grip on the Republican Party is beginning to show tangible signs of weakening.
Source: toutiao.com/article/1877082955180041/
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