Donald Trump denied reports that Byron Donalds reduced references to his endorsement, calling the coverage "fake news" in a 449-word Truth Social post. Screenshots show Donalds' campaign website now gives less prominence to Trump's photo and endorsement, a change some Republican campaigns use to broaden appeal. Polling indicates the Florida governor's race has tightened, with Decision Desk HQ labeling it a "toss up," while Donalds says he is "proud" of Trump's endorsement but did not explain the site changes.
Trump Denies Report That Byron Donalds Scrubbed His Image As Florida Race Tightens
Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS
Donald Trump pushed back against reports that Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds reduced the prominence of his endorsement on the campaign website, calling the coverage "fake news." Trump responded in a lengthy 449-word post on Truth Social — part of a 32-post spree — denying that Donalds was distancing himself.
Florida gubernatorial hopeful Byron Donalds is one of several Republicans to have removed all references to Trump from their campaign websites. / Brian Snyder/Reuters
What Trump Posted
In the post Trump wrote:
"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."He also reiterated his oft-repeated claims about past vote totals:
"I won Florida by Millions of Votes, getting the Highest Vote Tally in History — Three times!"
Donald Trump's furious protest post on Truth Social. / Truth Social/Donald Trump
Evidence And Response
Comparative screenshots of Donalds' campaign site before and after a recent redesign show noticeably less emphasis on Trump's photo and endorsement. Campaigns sometimes downplay national figures to broaden appeal to swing voters, and the site update reflects that trend. Donalds issued a statement saying he was "proud to have President Trump's endorsement," but he did not explain why photos and references to Trump were reduced.
Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds stripped away references to his endorsement from Donald Trump from his campaign website. / The Daily Beast/byrondonalds.com
Despite photographic evidence of the website changes, Trump called the story fabricated and suggested critics were trying to stop his "ever upward momentum." The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Political Context In Florida
Polling in Florida suggests the governor's race has tightened: Democrat David Jolly is running competitive with Donalds, and Decision Desk HQ has labeled the contest a "toss up." The move to minimize Trump on campaign materials mirrors a broader GOP pattern: some Republican campaigns nationwide have pared back Trump imagery as polls signal voter dissatisfaction with the former president.
Adding to intra-party tensions, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar released an ad aimed at Miami voters in her largely Hispanic district criticizing the administration's immigration approach as having "gone too far," highlighting divisions within the Florida GOP.
Bottom line: Trump denied reports that Donalds scrubbed his image, but public screenshots and Donalds' limited statement leave questions about whether the campaign is shifting strategy to appeal to a wider electorate as the race tightens.
Help us improve.
