In what some view as evidence of lingering hard feelings from the 2024 GOP primary, President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have found themselves at odds over who should be the Sunshine State's next governor.

Trump has already endorsed loyal ally Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who formally kicked off his 2026 gubernatorial campaign with a "show of force" event in Bonita Springs on Friday, according to Fox News.

Meanwhile, though nothing has been officially announced yet, there are strong rumors that DeSantis will back his wife, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, in a campaign to be elected as his successor.

Trump endorsed Donalds before his candidacy was even announced

It was on Feb. 20 that President Trump issued an endorsement of Rep. Donalds as his choice to be Florida's next governor after the 2026 election -- even though the congressman didn't officially announce his candidacy until several days later.

Trump's Truth Social post stated, "I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024."

He went on to praise Donalds and his family and noted that he and the congressman were aligned on several major issues, and added, "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!"

Donalds kicks off his campaign

Fast-forward to Friday and Fox News' report about Rep. Donalds' official campaign launch event, which will feature video messages in his support from Donald Trump Jr. and Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk, along with an in-person speech from conservative pundit Benny Johnson.

Veteran GOP strategist Stephen Lawson, who previously advised Govs. DeSantis and Rick Scott, said of the Donalds event, "I think what you’ll see is a show of force and I think the support and the momentum that Bryon is generating across the state, whether it’s fundraising or grassroots support, will be evident."

He added that "with President Trump’s backing, Donalds is the person to beat in this race."

Casey DeSantis for governor?

Meanwhile, Politico reported earlier this month on the persistent rumors that Casey DeSantis will soon launch a campaign of her own to be the current governor's replacement in the 2026 election -- rumors that both husband and wife have neither confirmed nor denied with decidedly coy or vague responses to questions from reporters.

Gov. DeSantis has often touted the fact that, in contrast to most political spouses, his wife has actually been highly involved in his administration in many areas and would be exceedingly capable of governing the state after he is forced to step aside because of term limits.

The outlet noted that, should she choose to run, DeSantis would likely draw considerable support, financially and in the voting booth, from her husband's backers, as she is generally well-liked by Floridians and has many accomplishments of her own that she can run on in addition to the obvious intent to serve as a continuation of her husband's successful stewardship of the state.

DeSantis vs. Donalds will be significant fight with broad implications

The Politico report made sure to mention the potential internecine war brewing among Florida Republicans with the prospect of a DeSantis vs. Donalds gubernatorial contest, which will ultimately pit supporters of the governor and the president against each other.

There is a lot riding on it, too, above and beyond simply governing the state, as future political ambitions will be at stake, and a loss for DeSantis could end her husband's likely 2028 presidential run before it even begins, while a loss for Donalds could prevent him from ascending any higher than Congress in the political realm.