JONES: Ron DeSantis Will Never Be The Republican Nominee
After a prolonged quiet spell, Ron DeSantis reemerges as a close ally of Donald Trump, aligning his governance to bolster the former president’s domestic agenda while signaling possible future political moves. He advances aggressive immigration measures, including the operation that arrested thousands and the detention center plans, and expands state efforts to streamline government and influence college sports policy under NIL reforms praised by Trump. He also aids Florida’s role in supporting Trump’s legacy projects, such as housing the Trump Presidential Library. With his term nearing its end, DeSantis hints at another presidential bid, weighing a potential 2028 run depending on how current dynamics unfold.
Dive Deeper:
DeSantis reentered the political spotlight over the last 16 months as a staunch ally of Trump, actively supporting shared policy goals and appearing loyal to the Trump White House agenda.
He oversaw aggressive immigration initiatives, including Operation Tidal Wave conducted with ICE, which led to the arrests of more than 10,000 undocumented immigrants.
In July 2025, he authorized the construction of a large migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, followed by plans for a second facility dubbed Deportation Depot, signaling a hardline approach to border issues.
Domestically, DeSantis launched a Florida version of a Department of Government Efficiency and pushed reforms to Name Image and Likeness rules for college athletes, aligning with Trump-supported efforts to codify NIL changes into federal law.
He praised and supported measures to establish greater federal oversight of NIL and framed these steps as progress toward fixing issues in college sports, while calling for Congress action.
DeSantis facilitated Florida’s involvement in building the Trump Presidential Library, providing waterfront Miami property to house the project and framing it as beneficial for the state and local institutions.
As his term ends, he floated possibilities of roles within the Trump administration or a broader 2028 bid, suggesting that, on Hannity’s podcast, he believes a larger run could be in play if conditions shift.