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Outgoing Florida Gov. DeSantis breaks silence on reported White House plans with jab at major newspaper
Ron DeSantis has denied a report that he is preparing to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028, accusing The Washington Post of inventing claims that he had contacted political consultants. The dispute has renewed speculation about his political future as he prepares to leave Florida’s governorship in January.
The newspaper’s report cited three people briefed on DeSantis’ plans and said he had contacted at least one national consultant; it also noted a fundraising text from a super PAC linked to him. DeSantis, who ended his 2024 presidential campaign after the Iowa caucuses and endorsed Donald Trump, said he had not approached anyone about running. He is term-limited after 2026, and the report comes after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, while Republican Byron Donalds won Florida’s governorship.
In short
- DeSantis denies exploring a 2028 presidential bid.
- The report cited three people briefed on his plans.
- His political future is in focus as he leaves office.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The report may reasonably prompt questions about DeSantis’ future: it cites three people briefed on his plans, describes contact with a national consultant and points to fundraising by a linked super PAC. Given his approaching departure from the governorship and prior presidential campaign, examining whether he is laying groundwork for 2028 is legitimate political reporting.
The case against
DeSantis is entitled to challenge a report he says is false, and the account relies on unnamed sources whose claims readers cannot independently assess. Contact with a consultant or fundraising by an associated super PAC does not by itself establish that he intends to run, so the newspaper’s interpretation may overstate what the evidence shows.