As Florida gubernatorial race heats up, President Trump stands behind Donalds

Following a story that suggested Florida GOP Rep. Byron Donalds removed references to President Trump’s endorsement from his gubernatorial campaign website, the president said the claim was untrue – and doubled down on his support of the popular Floridian candidate.

by Summer Lane | September 28, 2026

President Donald Trump railed against the “CORRUPT” and “DISHONEST” media in a recent statement posted to Truth Social, firing back after a story was published about one of his endorsed gubernatorial candidates, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).

“Another Fake Story is that a very close friend of mine, a man I endorsed very early, Byron Donalds, is taking me off his website and Campaign materials,” the president wrote.

Trump touted his Florida election victories and called out a slate of “mainstream” outlets for pushing the story. “…Byron immediately put this picture out, and statements that it was not true, and greatly accelerated the fact that I have strongly Endorsed him,” the president continued. “Two Rallies are already scheduled in Florida for Byron and, will be, as always, ‘SOLD OUT!’ This was a Fake Story, with no sources, and the only justification for it is they want to stop my ever upward momentum.”

The president cited a photo posted to Donalds’ social media account of himself with the president, along with a statement highlighting Trump’s endorsement. “I am proud to have President Trump’s endorsement,” the lawmaker stated.

It’s unclear exactly where the story about Donalds’ campaign website originated. The Miami Herald, for example, reported that the gubernatorial candidate had stripped away “numerous prominent references to his endorsement from Donald Trump as the president’s approval ratings hit new lows.”

The outlet cited several instances of reductions on the website in terms of mentioning the president’s endorsement.

Additionally, Community Notes on X claimed that Donalds’ campaign website removed “at least 8” past references to President Trump.

However, on Donald’s campaign website’s “Endorsements” tab, the picture of him with the president is featured prominently. “From President Trump and Governor DeSantis to sheriffs from county after county, Byron’s endorsements span every corner of Florida,” it reads.

“Byron Donalds has my Complete and Total Endorsement, and he is leading against a Failed and Totally Incompetent Dumocrat Candidate, David Jolly, a known Lefty Loser, and someone who does not stand for the Values of our Great Floridian Patriots,” President Trump said in his statement addressing the mainstream news narrative.

He added, “…God must be looking down on me! If Florida thought the story that Byron ‘dropped’ me was true, he would lose the Election, and that would be a terrible thing because he’s going to be a fantastic Governor! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”