KISSIMMEE, Fla. — In 2018, the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, became the starting point for Ron DeSantis’ journey toward a potential presidential candidacy. However, now, five years later, that same venue seems to be where everything falls apart for DeSantis.
During the race for governor of Florida, DeSantis was lagging behind Adam Putnam, the favored candidate backed by the Republican establishment. However, DeSantis managed to secure an endorsement from then-President Donald Trump, and their appearance together at the Gaylord Palms Resort for a Fox News-hosted debate turned the tide in DeSantis’ favor. This victory propelled him to win the Republican nomination for governor and set the stage for a potential presidential run in 2024.
Now, the same hotel hosted the “Freedom Summit” on Saturday, organized by the Republican Party of Florida, a party DeSantis helped build and fund. However, the event seemed to be dominated by Trump, who has spent months criticizing his former protege and currently has a substantial lead over other Republican presidential contenders. Not only is DeSantis losing the presidential race, but he is also losing support from the grassroots base that helped him secure reelection just a year ago.
Attendees at the summit expressed a strong preference for Trump, and it was evident from the moment he took the stage that he was the star of the show. Other speakers who expressed less favorable views towards Trump, such as former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, were met with boos and jeers from the crowd.
Despite DeSantis’ campaign managing to fill the room with his supporters, the overwhelming perception was that the day belonged to Trump. DeSantis’ speech, in which he criticized Trump’s use of teleprompters, was received positively by his supporters but failed to overshadow Trump’s presence.
Public polling shows that Trump has a significant lead, with DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley competing for second place. Haley’s absence from the event further solidified DeSantis’ position as the only viable candidate present who poses a threat to Trump.
In a meeting with reporters after signing his qualifying paperwork for the primary ballot, DeSantis acknowledged that Trump’s team continues to attack him, indicating that he is seen as a more substantial threat than Haley. However, DeSantis remains confident, citing his endorsements from state legislators throughout the country.
While DeSantis and Haley continue to vie for second place in the polls, Trump’s hour-long speech on Saturday night further reinforced the notion that the Republican presidential primary race is all but over.
Overall, the Gaylord Palms Resort has played a significant role in both DeSantis’ rise and potential downfall. Only time will tell how the rest of the race unfolds and whether DeSantis can regain the support he once had.
