President Donald Trump on Wednesday reportedly formally endorsed Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a move that could help cool months of speculation about whether Trump would back a key ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of the 2026 election.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed Uthmeier as a “Strong Conservative Fighter and Prosecutor” and declared that he had his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” Trump praised him as the “man behind Alligator Alcatraz,” referring to the new immigration detention center deep in the Everglades that opened this summer, and called him a “true champion for MAGA.”
The endorsement marks a surprising turn in the often-fraught relationship between Trump and DeSantis, whose rivalry during the Republican presidential primary left deep divisions in Florida’s GOP establishment. Uthmeier had served as DeSantis’s campaign manager during that presidential bid and at the time was a sharp critic of Trump.
After DeSantis appointed Uthmeier as attorney general in February—replacing Ashley Moody, whom he had named to Marco Rubio’s former U.S. Senate seat—many wondered whether Trump would ever forgive the association. Wednesday’s announcement appears to have answered that question.
The endorsement comes as Uthmeier’s profile has grown in Tallahassee and beyond. In recent weeks, he helped facilitate discussions about transferring prime downtown Miami property from the state to the foundation planning to build Trump’s presidential library.
Uthmeier confirmed in an interview last week that he had met with the foundation, visited “a couple of the possible sites,” and reviewed “the legal aspects of transferring the property.” The deal, largely negotiated outside public view, came together quickly but has since drawn a legal challenge.
Trump’s decision to support Uthmeier may also prevent a broader intraparty clash between the president and the Florida governor.
A Trump-DeSantis showdown had loomed over several key statewide races, including the contest for governor.
Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds for that post, though DeSantis has withheld his support. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has also been rumored to be considering a run, potentially setting up a contentious primary.
The endorsement of Uthmeier adds another layer to the ongoing reshuffling within Florida’s Republican leadership.
Earlier this year, Trump backed state Sen. Joe Gruters for chief financial officer, only for DeSantis to appoint longtime ally Blaise Ingoglia to the position after Jimmy Patronis stepped down to pursue a congressional seat.
DeSantis publicly criticized Gruters as insufficiently conservative, prompting Trump to back him for a different role—as chair of the Republican National Committee—before Gruters ultimately dropped his bid.
Uthmeier, for his part, responded with gratitude to the president’s backing. “I will keep fighting on behalf of Floridians and the American people, and I won’t let you down,” he wrote in a brief post on X.
According to several Florida Republican operatives, there had been quiet efforts by the White House to encourage Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez to challenge Uthmeier.
One source close to Perez said Wednesday that while the Miami Republican was “honored to be encouraged to run,” it was “not a job he was ever actively seeking.”
For now, Trump’s endorsement signals a rare alignment between the president and the Florida governor’s circle—at least one that could stave off another GOP family feud in the Sunshine State.
[READ MORE: Newsom Vetoes Firefighter Pay Raises Amid Ongoing Criticism of California’s Disaster Response]
