Florida GOP 'in a bind' as Trump’s 'close friend' and MAGA allies ditch him

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts on stage at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S., September 9, 2026. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare

On Tuesday, a new report by Florida Today revealed that state Republicans are “in a bind” as they attempt to distance themselves from President Donald Trump without drawing his ire. While a growing number of GOP candidates aim to put daylight between themselves and the historically unpopular president, they’re finding that escaping Trump’s shadow is easier said than done.

“Trump is holding a rally near the Panhandle and said he will come to Florida for two more rallies for Republicans — if they like it or not,” writes Florida Today. “The announcement comes after GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds — whom Trump endorsed — removed all prominent mentions of the president from his website and U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar said Trump's immigration policy has ‘gone too far.’”

Trump is loudly touting his rally for Donalds anyway. "If Florida thought the story that Byron 'dropped' me was true, he would lose the Election," posted Trump. But as Florida Today notes, Donalds has good reason to downplay his connection to the floundering administration. “The president has record-low approval ratings as gas prices soar, the Iran war spreads, and millions are losing health care,” writes the outlet. “Trump, meanwhile, has taken a ‘let them eat cake’ stance, embracing construction of his gilded ballroom and arch and calling the affordability issue a hoax.” Despite Donalds’ desire to distance himself from such debacles, however, Trump continues to insist the candidate is "a very close friend of mine."

After the website change was reported, Donalds attempted to downplay the incident, claiming his team had planned on removing Trump and MAGA references from the website for months. But according to Florida Today, the story highlights how “the Florida GOP is in a bind. It needs to activate its 1.5 million voter registration advantage by not alienating independents and disgruntled Republicans.” As Democratic strategist Vanessa Brito explained, “They can't afford for hardcore MAGA to stay home. They also can't afford non-MAGA Republicans, hardcore Republicans who are loyal to the party, to stay home." That means attempting to appeal to both devoted MAGA supporters as well as former Trump voters who have turned against the president.

While he has remained positive toward Donalds, according to Florida Today, “Trump has taken a different tack when it comes to another Republican who looked to distance herself from him. U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar is not only taking heat from her opponent, Eliot Rodriguez, but Trump, as well. Trump lambasted Salazar, who represents Florida's 27 Congressional District in Miami-Dade County, on social media over her criticism of his immigration crackdown in South Florida.” According to Salazar, half the people detained have no criminal record, and now “the same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.” Trump went on to repost comments deeming Salazar a “back stabber” and calling for her replacement.

Florida isn't the only state where Trump is seeing defections. GOP candidates across the country are distancing themselves from the historically unpopular president. In the bellwether state of Iowa, for example, two Republican representatives voted for a resolution that directs Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from the Iran conflict, while a third said she wants the war to end without backing the resolution. ”I’m a big Trump supporter, I always have been. But you know, the cost of living and gas and fuel price, it’s not helping him at all,” Republican donor Ivan Stoltzfus said about the matter. “He’s probably at the place where he wishes he’d never seen Iran.”

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