TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ron DeSantis is hoping to raise at least $10 million as part of a multi-state fundraiser for Donald Trump, a man he fought in a tough primary race but now has a cautious truce.
“I think we believe that Biden needs to be beaten and the governor is ready to lay down his sword,” said a senior adviser to DeSantis. “They had some good conversations like last week.”
A DeSantis consultant said multiple events are expected in Texas, California and Washington, D.C., with fundraising events starting in July and likely continuing into September.
The plan is to turn to states where DeSantis has significant donor networks from his presidential bid so he can quickly raise money for Trump.
“It’s in places where there’s an existing infrastructure for things like this,” the DeSantis consultant said.
The money raised will be used to finance media buys in key states targeted by Trump’s political orbit.
The fundraising events are technically for True for America, a pro-Trump super PAC that began in January and is led by Ike Perlmutter, the former chairman of Marvel Entertainment at Disney, a Trump political supporter and longtime GOP rainmaker. will be and DeSantis. He was the first to report on the regulation Associated Press.
The wire service reported that Trump called a South Florida donor event hosted by DeSantis this month to praise his former political rival.
“Ron, I’m glad you’re back,” Trump said.
According to campaign finance reports, the committee has raised $13 million so far, $10.1 million of which has come from Perlmutter and his wife, Laura.
“Ike has been helpful over the years, so a lot of it made sense,” the DeSantis adviser said.
Anthony Lomangino, chairman of Southern Waste Systems and a longtime Trump donor, also donated $1 million to the super PAC.
A spokesman for Perlmutter did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but last year told CNBC he said he was ready to make “meaningful” financial contributions to Trump’s candidacy for the White House in 2024.
The fundraisers are the latest example of the thaw between Trump and DeSantis, who have been longtime political allies since Trump endorsed DeSantis for governor in 2018 but have since become bitter political enemies in the run-up to the 2024 Republican presidential primary.
DeSantis said in April supporters at a private event said he was ready to raise money for Trump’s presidential campaign with donors. At the end of that month ate breakfast with Trump at a South Florida golf club and the two have had several conversations since then.