Trump: DeSantis ‘certainly’ in the mix for vice president in 2024

If Donald Trump runs for president again in 2024, could there be an all Florida ticket?

The former president told Fox Business on Thursday that he would “certainly” consider Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential running mate if he mounts another bid for the White House.

“A lot of people like that,” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo in an hour-long interview on her morning show. “You know, I’m just saying what I read and what you read. They love that ticket.”

DeSantis has quickly become one of the more popular figures in the Republican Party since the election. His approach to the coronavirus has won him praise from conservatives across the country, and unlike other GOP leaders, he has stayed in Trump’s good graces. Though Trump lost the election, DeSantis delivered a decisive win for Republicans in Florida, a critical swing state.

Trump’s remarks come as rumors swirl about DeSantis’ own political ambitions. He is often in the mix when Republicans discuss potential 2024 candidates if Trump doesn’t run. Trump told Bartiromo that he is “100 percent” thinking about running again.

It’s not the first time Trump has elevated DeSantis with a well-timed plug. His endorsement of DeSantis in the 2018 GOP primary for governor thrust him past former Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, the then-favorite of many establishment Republicans.

At the time, DeSantis was a lesser known congressman from Florida’s east coast — which Trump often reminds his supporters, as he did on Thursday.

“He’s a friend of mine. I endorsed Ron,” Trump said. “And after I endorsed him, he took off like a rocket ship. He’s done a great job as governor.”

The country has never elected a candidate from Florida, let alone an all-Sunshine State ticket. Florida became Trump’s adopted home in 2019 after he changed his residence from Manhattan.