Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis had a message for donors and other important Republican backers over the last few weeks: Don't throw your support to Rep. Byron Donalds, because Casey DeSantis was seriously considering jumping into the 2026 race for governor. That message was upended last Thursday night with a single social media post by President Donald Trump emphatically endorsing Donalds. And Trump's decision may have also derailed an effort to preserve Gov. DeSantis' conservative legacy ahead of another potential presidential run. Some longtime allies of Trump said whoever the president supports is destined to win in a state that is now firmly Republican. "Trump is going to decide the elections in Florida in 2026," said state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota). "He controls the party, he controls the state " and there's nothing that anybody can do to change that."