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DeSantis to speak at Iowa GOP event during convention

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Governor's Day luncheon during a visit to the Florida State Fair, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is slated to speak Wednesday at an Iowa Republican Party lunch event at the Republican National Convention. 

Bloomberg was the first outlet to report the news. People familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill the governor would speak at the event. 


News of the speaking engagement with Iowa’s GOP is a potential indicator the former presidential candidate may be considering another run in 2028. 

DeSantis challenged Trump for the nomination last year after Florida Republicans saw sweeping victories under his leadership in 2022. However, DeSantis’s poll numbers never took off following his announcement and he and his campaign were plagued by a series of negative headlines. Despite heavily investing in Iowa ahead of the state’s caucuses, DeSantis dropped out of the race after coming in a distant second to Trump. 

While Trump and DeSantis engaged in a bitter war of words during the primary, the two have since put aside their differences. The two met in Florida in April. 

“I am very happy to have the full and enthusiastic support of Governor Ron“The conversation mostly concerned how we would work closely together to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote. “Also discussed was the future of Florida, which is FANTASTIC! I greatly appreciate Ron’s support in taking back our Country from the Worst President in the History of the United States. November 5th is a BIG DAY!!!” DeSantis of Florida.”