Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed back on a Washington Post report Friday that suggested he is preparing a second presidential campaign for 2028. In a series of posts on X, DeSantis said the newspaper is “fabricating this out of whole cloth” and affirmed he has not spoken to anyone about running for any office.
Governor’s response on social media
DeSantis wrote, “I have not reached out to anybody about running for anything,” and added, “Just another pathetic attempt to garner clicks. Using anonymous sources, of course!” When a user expressed hope that the Post’s reporting was accurate, the governor replied, “sorry to disappoint.” He also suggested that any mention of political consultants might simply be a made‑up story by the newspaper.
Washington Post’s claims
The article cited three people who said DeSantis had begun discussions with at least one national political consultant about a prospective campaign. It also noted that a federal super PAC linked to DeSantis sent out a fundraising text earlier in the week. The Post reported that DeSantis, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2024 and is term‑limited as governor after 2026, had already begun laying groundwork for a 2028 bid.
Context of recent GOP setbacks
The speculation about DeSantis’ future comes after Republicans suffered sweeping defeats in the 2026 midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress and several traditionally Republican strongholds. Despite those losses, Florida remained a bright spot for the party, with Republican Byron Donalds winning the state’s congressional race.
DeSantis warned that the midterm outcomes could be “close to an extinction‑level event for Republicans,” noting that among the nation’s ten most populous states, Florida may be the only one still under Republican control.
DeSantis’ 2024 campaign and Trump endorsement
DeSantis previously sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, suspending his campaign after the Iowa caucuses and subsequently endorsing President Trump. While he will leave the governor’s office in January 2027, he has left open the possibility of another presidential run.
What this means for Florida voters
For Floridians, the governor’s denial underscores that any talk of a 2028 campaign remains speculation. DeSantis’ focus, according to his statements, continues to be on governing the state and preserving Republican leadership in Florida’s government.
Fox News Digital reached out to DeSantis’ office and the Washington Post for comment. Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
