TALLAHASSEE — When Joe Gruters arrived at Donald Trump’s presidential campaign kickoff at Mar-a-Lago last November, Florida’s then-GOP chairman surprised even some of Trump’s top aides.
“You’re the most courageous man in Florida for being here,” Susie Wiles, Trump’s top aide, told Gruters at the November event.
Gruters — who served as chairman of Florida’s GOP for four years under DeSantis and was then leading Florida’s party — said supporting Trump wasn’t a challenging decision. DeSantis had endorsed Gruters for party chair but treated him poorly while he was chairman, speaking to him “rarely” and seldom inviting him to meetings or events, he said. The governor attempted to remove his staff, Gruters said. The governor didn’t trust many, he said, and would not even allow ostensible allies like Gruters into his inner circle.
Gruters said in recent interviews that he knew DeSantis was going to face difficulties in the presidential race because of his past experiences with the governor.
“The more he interacts with people, the less they will admire him,” said Gruters, who is also a state senator. “The more he’s out there, the more his approval ratings decline. It’s not a favorable long-term scenario for him. I fully expected his campaign to fail a long time ago.”
DeSantis’s challenges in gaining traction have surprised many leaders within the Republican Party, who had hoped he would be a strong contender and could leverage his governance of Florida to build a center-right coalition that could win the presidency. After his overwhelming victory in the 2022 gubernatorial election, he was seen as a rising star in the party with the best chance of moving on from Trump.
However, since then, his poll numbers have declined, some donors and supporters have raised concerns about his campaign, he has faced financial challenges, and he has had to lay off numerous staff members and recently replaced his campaign manager. Awkward encounters have sometimes overshadowed his campaign trips.
Interviews with over 30 individuals in Florida and Washington who worked closely with DeSantis — many of whom spoke anonymously to describe their interactions with him — suggest that some who knew him well in Tallahassee had lower expectations and always anticipated that the candidate would face challenges.
Supporters of DeSantis within the Republican Party point to his accomplishments as governor and argue that he has shown more skill on the campaign trail in recent weeks than before, particularly in small-scale events in Iowa. They also highlight Florida’s growing population under his leadership, what they perceive as his boldness during the coronavirus lockdown, the state’s low tax rate, and his transformation of the Florida Supreme Court into a conservative majority.
“Governor DeSantis has the support of over 100 state officials in Florida because he has worked with them to implement an unparalleled conservative agenda that has resulted in safer streets, better schools, and has made the Sunshine State an economic powerhouse — he will do the same for the nation as president. The governor has also reshaped the political landscape in Florida, assisting candidates from Congress to the school board as he has turned Florida from purple to red,” said Andrew Romeo, a DeSantis spokesman.
Paul Renner, the speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives, said he endorsed DeSantis partly because he believed DeSantis had a better chance of winning the presidency than Trump. He cited DeSantis’s support for strict abortion laws and a constitutional carry gun measure, as well as his push to reopen schools during the pandemic and raise teacher salaries, as reasons for his endorsement.
“He has achieved more in terms of policy and elections than any other governor. I'm not concerned about receiving praise for my ego," Renner stated.
He further commented, "When you look at his leadership during the pandemic, his handling of hurricanes, and his record-breaking election, it's clear that he connects with people and is a true leader."
Even some of his strongest critics acknowledge that he has been ruthlessly effective at times and has maintained a disciplined governor's office. Supporters argue that there is still ample time to run a successful campaign. Additionally, he recently secured the endorsement of influential Iowa radio host Steve Deace. They also point out that he remains in second place and speculate that Trump may face difficulties due to multiple legal charges.
"We're currently in August, and the Iowa caucuses are still six months away," said state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a key DeSantis ally. "There's plenty of time between now and then, and it's important not to peak too soon. We need to methodically convey our messages, and I believe the campaign is on the right track."
However, in interviews, Florida Republicans described DeSantis as aloof, favoring a "sticks and no carrots" approach, according to a senior Florida official. They also characterized his negotiating style as "my way or the highway." Some noted that he rarely engaged with senior members of his own Cabinet, including top law enforcement officials, as well as other prominent Republicans. Furthermore, he seemed to avoid building relationships with fellow members of Congress. He seldom connected with donors and supporters and appeared to dislike being in crowds or attending events. Moreover, he often neglected customary political gestures such as sending thank you notes or making calls to donors.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), whose support of Trump reportedly upset DeSantis, expressed his thoughts on the DeSantis campaign, saying, "It's pretty much what I expected. In presidential politics, it's crucial to engage and connect with people. It's about TV appearances, interviews, and charisma. You know it when you see it... I never believed the governor would be able to do or achieve that."
Most members of the Florida congressional delegation have endorsed Trump and accompanied him to the Iowa State Fair. Trump's team even flew a banner over DeSantis with the message "Be Likable, Ron!" At a dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club earlier this year, attendees discussed how DeSantis had mistreated them, according to sources familiar with the event.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who was once a prominent DeSantis supporter, shared that when he suffered a severe injury, DeSantis never reached out to check on him. In contrast, Trump did, leading Steube to switch his support to Trump.
"In terms of fostering relationships with other members, it wasn't his strong suit. He simply doesn't do that," Donalds remarked.
Florida Lt. Gov Jeannette Núñez, a supporter of DeSantis for president, suggested that other factors influenced Trump's congressional endorsements. She noted that Donalds had a prior relationship with the governor but chose a different path. Núñez also highlighted that DeSantis had received over 100 endorsements from state lawmakers.
Several individuals publicly supporting DeSantis told The Washington Post that they felt compelled to do so due to Florida business interests but didn't have genuine affection for him.
"People in Florida, even those who publicly support him, don't exactly feel sorry for him," said an individual listed as a prominent supporter. "There's a sense that he deserves it."
According to sources close to Sen. Rick Scott (R), when he would call or text DeSantis regarding state events like hurricanes, his messages were left unanswered. The two men have not had a conversation in years, except for brief interactions at official gatherings.
ent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal dynamics, echoed some of the concerns raised by lawmakers. They described DeSantis as a governor who prioritized his own political ambitions and often disregarded input from others.
"He wanted to be the star of the show, and he didn't want anyone else stealing the spotlight," one former official said.
Another former official highlighted DeSantis's tendency to make decisions without consulting his staff or seeking advice from experts. They described him as someone who relied heavily on his own instincts and disregarded alternative viewpoints.
"He had a habit of making snap decisions without fully considering the consequences," the former official said.
According to these sources, DeSantis's leadership style created a culture of fear and intimidation within the governor's office. Staff members were often hesitant to voice their opinions or challenge his decisions, for fear of retribution.
"He surrounded himself with people who would unquestioningly follow his lead," one former official said. "There was no room for dissent or debate."
However, not everyone shares these negative views of DeSantis's leadership. Some current and former officials praised his ability to get things done and his commitment to conservative principles.
"He was a strong leader who knew how to push through his agenda," one current official said. "He was not afraid to take bold action and stand up for what he believed in."
Others highlighted DeSantis's effective communication skills and his ability to connect with voters.
"He has a knack for speaking directly to the concerns of everyday Floridians," one former official said. "He knows how to rally support and build a strong base of loyal followers."
Overall, opinions on DeSantis's leadership style are divided. While some view him as an assertive and decisive leader, others see him as distant and dismissive of opposing viewpoints. The true impact of his leadership will likely be determined by the outcomes of his policies and the opinions of the voters.
Two former government officials who were familiar with Governor DeSantis's security detail have revealed that he often did not interact with his staff members or know their names. They also mentioned that he would leave food wrappers and other items in the back of the state car. A photo reviewed by The Post confirmed this behavior.
Some of DeSantis's defenders argue that successful executives often govern with strong authority, and they believe that other Florida governors have displayed similar characteristics. State Senator Ed Hooper, who did not endorse DeSantis, stated that every governor has a significant ego and that he is not sure DeSantis is any different.
Earlier this year, many state lawmakers felt pressured when DeSantis and his team requested presidential endorsements before he officially entered the race and before the state budget was signed. The governor has significant powers in influencing the state budget and can veto individual items without facing consequences in Florida.
DeSantis managed to secure approximately 100 endorsements from Republicans in the state legislature, which is an impressive achievement even before entering the race. A DeSantis campaign official announced that dozens of Florida legislators will be gathering in Tampa next week for a fundraising telethon to support DeSantis.
However, some Republicans in the state expressed unease about the lobbying efforts. State Senator Joe Gruters and two other lawmakers, who spoke anonymously, mentioned that many Republicans felt compelled to endorse DeSantis or face repercussions. They shared that at least five lawmakers informed them that they were concerned about losing projects in their districts if they did not endorse, as endorsement calls were being made by a prominent DeSantis governmental aide.
Gruters explained that while there was no direct exchange, lawmakers mentioned projects they wanted included in the budget when discussing endorsements. He stated that there is a general fear of projects being vetoed by the governor.
State Senator Ed Hooper stated that some of his colleagues endorsed DeSantis out of fear, as they were worried about facing primary challengers or having their budget items opposed.
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez mentioned that the governor supported many projects that were not backed by endorsing members and that he frequently exercised his veto power after scrutinizing projects. She disagreed with Gruters's perspective and stated that it is not necessarily based in reality.
State Representative Blaise Ingoglia, who spoke with approximately 40 lawmakers about endorsing DeSantis, dismissed the notion that there was any undue pressure placed on lawmakers. He described it as absurd. State Representative Paul Renner stated that his endorsement of DeSantis was genuine.
Since endorsing Trump, Gruters revealed that he had not communicated with DeSantis's team in months. He mentioned that many of his projects were vetoed this year, significantly more than other lawmakers. Gruters noted that in the past, lawmakers would receive a call informing them of what was going to be vetoed and why, but this year, he hasn't heard a word from the governor's team.