Staff Reports
Don Tapia, a former donor and ambassador to Jamaica for President Donald Trump, has declared his support for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis should he decide to run for president in 2024. Tapia plans to attend DeSantis’ three-day retreat this weekend in Palm Beach, Florida, which is expected to be filled with former Trump donors.
With a reported $70 million sitting in the bank, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will be hosting a three-day donor retreat this week for wealthy donors. And, despite having all of Florida to choose from, he's holding it just minutes away from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home!??
— Kero ??? (@KeroNTTz) February 20, 2023
According to Tapia’s statement to Politico, a significant number of previous president’s followers are prepared to shift their allegiance and support DeSantis instead, although some remain undecided. Tapia perceives that Trump’s manner of communication has become outdated, and the use of derogatory language has alienated many individuals.
Former Trump Donor And Ambassador Says He’d Back DeSantis In 2024: by Mary Lou Masters at CDN –
A former donor and ambassador to Jamaica for President #DonaldTrump, who supported him in 2016 and 2020, said he will back Florida Gov. #RonDeSantis in 2024… https://t.co/4jh1BHK6bI
— Conservative Daily News (@CDNPosts) February 21, 2023
Later this week, three major fundraising events will occur, including an event hosted by Trump’s MAGA Inc. PAC in Palm Beach on Friday, a conference organized by Karl Rove in Austin, Texas on the same day, and DeSantis’s retreat in Palm Beach over the weekend. The attendance of these donors at these events will determine which candidate they will support in 2024.
Tapia, an Army veteran and former CEO and Chairman of Essco Group Management, has supported the governor in the past by hosting fundraising events and contributing more than $50,000 to DeSantis’ 2022 reelection campaign. Essco Group Management is an electrical company based in Arizona where Tapia worked for three decades.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is running for office, along with former Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, are scheduled to attend the Texas conference.
The events this week will be a telling sign of who these donors will back in 2024. Tapia’s support for DeSantis is just one example of the many donors who are ready to turn the page from Trump and back the Florida Governor. With the backing of Tapia and other influential donors, DeSantis may be able to gain the support he needs to make a successful run for president in 2024.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on The Daily Caller
