DeSantis Aligns with Trump as Florida Endorses ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Initiative

President Trump and Florida Governor DeSantis Forge New Alliance After Election Rivalry

President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appear to have mended their relationship following their contentious rivalry during the 2024 presidential election. The two Republican leaders have increasingly aligned on policy initiatives, with Florida actively supporting several key White House programs.

In a significant demonstration of this renewed partnership, DeSantis launched the “Healthy Florida First” initiative in January, which he described as being in lockstep with the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. The Florida program focuses on testing food products for contaminants and promoting transparency in consumer goods, particularly those marketed to children.

“Our ‘Healthy Florida First’ initiative promotes innovation, ensures accountability, and empowers Floridians to make the healthiest choices for their families. Transparency is vital to that mission,” DeSantis said in a statement Monday. The governor announced the expansion of the initiative alongside Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

The rapprochement marks a significant shift from the bitter exchanges that characterized their relationship during the 2024 primary season. Trump had previously claimed that DeSantis “desperately needs a personality transplant” after the Florida governor announced his presidential bid. DeSantis, for his part, described Trump’s attacks as “juvenile” in a June 2023 interview, suggesting Trump’s behavior was a factor in his 2020 election loss.

The turning point in their relationship appears to have come in July 2025, when Trump visited the Everglades for the opening of “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new immigration detention facility. During this visit, Trump publicly extended an olive branch to DeSantis.

“You’re my friend and you’ll always be my friend,” Trump told DeSantis during the event. “We may even have some skirmishes in the future, I doubt it. But we’ll always come back because we have blood that seems to match pretty well.”

The collaboration between the two Republicans comes at a strategically important time, with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon. DeSantis, who cannot run for re-election as governor due to term limits, has recently stepped up his defense of the Trump administration in national media appearances.

In an interview Tuesday on “The Mark Levin Show,” DeSantis warned that Democrats might try to “fabricate another impeachment” if they regain control of the House of Representatives in the midterms. “They will do whatever they can to be able to throw sand in the gears to prevent the president from being able to discharge the duties to which he was elected,” DeSantis said.

Political analysts note that the partnership benefits both men. For Trump, having the support of a popular governor in the crucial swing state of Florida strengthens his administration’s policy implementation. For DeSantis, who faces term limits in 2026, maintaining a good relationship with Trump preserves his standing within the Republican Party as he considers his political future.

Beyond the health initiatives, the two have also found common ground on immigration enforcement. DeSantis has been supportive of Trump’s more aggressive deportation policies, as evidenced by his presence at the opening of the new detention facility in Florida.

The reconciliation demonstrates the fluid nature of political relationships, particularly within party ranks. Despite their heated primary battle, both men appear to have recognized the mutual benefits of cooperation, especially as they face common political opponents and work to advance shared policy goals.

White House officials and DeSantis’ office did not respond to requests for additional comment on their working relationship.