A rather interesting foursome went to play a round of golf in Florida this weekend: President Donald Trump was joined by college football coaching legends Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, and perhaps most importantly, a former rival by the name of Governor Ron DeSantis.
It would be going too far to say that Trump and DeSantis have had bad blood, but there has been a rift since the Florida governor’s primary challenge to Trump in 2023, which fizzled out in New Hampshire before primaries were even cast.
Seeing Trump and DeSantis spend a few hours engaged in what Mark Twain once called a “good walk spoiled” leads to an interesting question: If Florida’s top governor were to leave office next year, could he be a hole in one for the Trump administration?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Trump played golf on Sunday, which could be a sign of a thaw in their relationship. (Getty Images)
DeSantis is the kind of man who could put Trump in charge of virtually everything in the federal government and who could expect not only his trademark competence but also his calm and no-nonsense demeanor.
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In recent weeks, calm has been something the government has been longing for.
After DeSantis dropped out in early 2024, the schism in the conservative commentariat was more or less cleaved, despite the rather bitter vitriol consumed the year before, and the governor can still be an important pillar of Republican Party unity.
There has been frustration lately, especially among former DeSantis supporters, that the White House has been too tolerant of extreme views from figures close to him. The best answer to this is not to eliminate so-called cancer cases, but to strengthen the government’s credibility.
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I don’t know what DeSantis’ middle name is, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s “credibility.” With the possible exception of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, no leader in America, perhaps the world, handled COVID better.
The downer on DeSantis is that, as credible as he is, he is not particularly convincing. He doesn’t, in entertainment terms, chew the scenery. I remember spending much of the spring of 2023, as he was gearing up for the presidential election, thinking, “Less talking, more throwing the baseball.”
Secretary Kristi Noem spoke Wednesday about Democrats’ response to immigration enforcement operations. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
But honestly, the Trump administration has plenty of current supply of colorful characters. More competence is needed, more Lee Zeldins and Scott Bessents.
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In one column for the Washington Examiner this week, Byron York asked whether it’s time for Trump to shake up his Cabinet. Wherever you stand on this interesting political issue, you have to ask: who can the Senate confirm as a new member?
Let’s say that Attorney General Pam Bondi, or Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who have been lightning rods for criticism, leave their positions. I’m not advocating for that, but if it does happen, DeSantis is one of the few prominent Republicans who could pass Senate confirmation.
The subtext of all this, including the round of golf that I’m going to go ahead and assume Trump won, is the 2028 presidential election, in which DeSantis is one of the few figures to score among the public.
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The polls, early as they are, show Vice President J.D. Vance with a big lead, especially considering that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has all but endorsed him. But for now, DeSantis is the most viable option for the Republican Party, which is not yet in government or tied to Trump.
Vice President J.D. Vance talks to the media before boarding Air Force Two for a return to Washington, DC, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on February 11, 2026. (Kevin Lamarque-Pool/Getty Images) (Kevin Lamarque-Pool/Getty Images)
While this may be a political reason for Florida’s governor to eschew a government position, to remain the Republican who isn’t seen in the Oval Office day in and day out poring over Trump, a national position could be great for him and for the party.
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And honestly, where should DeSantis go after he leaves office if it’s not Washington?
Whether the 19th hole of this golf outing with Trump and the football kings turns out to be a position in government or not, Republicans should rejoice if they see these two conservative leaders hanging out.
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Unity must be the watchword for Republicans, both in this year’s midterm elections and in the 2028 presidential race. In either case, DeSantis can be a voice for common sense, competence and American values.
America needs all the good leadership it can get in Washington, and DeSantis is an example of that. Trump should seriously consider giving him a prominent national platform.
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