Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds launched an updated campaign website this week, removing multiple references to his endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Previously, Donalds' website prominently featured Trump's endorsement, including a button to "Chip in to Support Trump Endorsed Byron Donalds" at the top of the homepage. The main text read, "TRUMP-ENDORSED Proven Conservative Fighter. BYRON DONALDS," and a yellow banner stated, "ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP!" Additionally, a section quoted Trump's 2025 endorsement, saying, "RUN, BYRON, RUN!"
In the updated version, these mentions have been eliminated, including a photo of Donalds with Trump. Now, Trump's endorsement is included in a rolling banner of conservative endorsements alongside figures like Elon Musk, Sen. Rick Scott, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, but without significant prominence.
On the agenda landing page, the previously listed priority of enacting the Trump Agenda has been replaced with affordability as the first issue, and Trump's name is no longer mentioned. According to the website tracking service Visualping, at least eight references to Trump were removed from the homepage.
Donalds is among several Republican candidates distancing themselves from Trump as polls indicate the former president's approval ratings are declining. The U.S. war with Iran is ongoing, and gas prices are rising. Miami Republican Rep. María Elvira Salazar recently launched a campaign ad criticizing the Trump administration's approach to mass immigrant detention and deportation.
Donalds had previously made Trump's endorsement central to his campaign as he aimed to appeal to Republican primary voters, often referring to himself as "Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds." However, during his primary victory speech in Orlando last month, he did not mention Trump, instead praising other Republican leaders like Scott.