Donald Trump Says He’d Consider Putting Ron DeSantis in His Administration After Governor Term Expires

President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that he is open to appointing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a position within his second administration, signaling a potential strategic reconciliation between the former primary rivals.

Speaking with NewsNation’s Libbey Dean at the White House, Trump praised the Governor’s performance in Florida, stating he would “certainly consider” a role for DeSantis once his second term in Tallahassee concludes in January 2027.

“I think he’s good,” Trump told reporters. “Doing a good job.”

The comments mark a shift in the often-volatile relationship between the two Republican heavyweights. During the 2024 primary, Trump frequently targeted DeSantis with “juvenile” nicknames—as DeSantis later described them—including “DeSanctimonious,” and mocked reports regarding the Governor’s footwear. DeSantis, in turn, frequently critiqued Trump’s leadership style during his eight-month campaign.

If DeSantis were to join the administration, he would join other former rivals whom Trump has successfully integrated into his Cabinet, including:

• Marco Rubio: Current Secretary of State.
• Doug Burgum: Current Secretary of the Interior.

Notably, Trump has excluded other former opponents, such as Nikki Haley, from his current roster, underscoring the selective nature of his political olive branches.

DeSantis Weighs 2028 Ambitions

Despite Trump’s public overture, DeSantis appears to be keeping his options open. In a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday, the Governor hinted that his future may involve another bid for the White House rather than a supportive role in Washington.

Reflecting on the 2024 campaign, DeSantis described the “insurmountable” challenge of running against Trump’s base. He recalled a voter who claimed DeSantis would be a better president than Ronald Reagan, yet still refused to vote against Trump.

“I’m thinking to myself, ‘Oh, great,’” DeSantis told Hannity. “How am I going to overcome that?”

The Path to 2027

DeSantis, a former Navy JAG officer and congressman, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term as Florida’s governor. While he is ineligible to run for the state’s top office this year, he remains a formidable figure in the GOP.

When pressed by Hannity on whether he intends to launch a 2028 presidential campaign, DeSantis remained non-committal, offering only a brief: “We’ll see.”

The dynamic between the two leaders remains a focal point for GOP insiders. A federal appointment could serve to neutralize DeSantis as a 2028 competitor or, conversely, provide him with a high-profile platform to bolster his national credentials before the next election cycle begins.