DeSantis to speak at RNC convention despite reports of being sidelined by Trump

After a bitter Republican primary, former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) will present a public united front next week at the GOP convention in Milwaukee.

“We’ve consistently been told we would have a speaking slot at the convention and have not been told differently,” a senior DeSantis official told the Washington Examiner.

The expectation for a speaking slot came after reporting that DeSantis had been passed over, though the DeSantis official called those earlier reports incorrect.

DeSantis endorsed Trump when he suspended his presidential campaign in January after the Iowa caucuses but before the New Hampshire primary, but the pair did not speak until April. Thanks to Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and mutual friend, the men had breakfast at Witkoff’s Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, Florida, at the governor’s request.

“I am very happy to have the full and enthusiastic support of Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida,” Trump wrote on social media at the time. “The conversation mostly concerned how we would work closely together to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. 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 had told supporters in March he would also help raise money for Trump after criticizing Republicans who kowtowed to the former president on the eve of the Iowa caucuses.

Confirmation of DeSantis’ appearance at the convention comes after former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another primary opponent, disclosed that she had not been invited to the event, despite releasing her 97 delegates and encouraging them to nominate Trump.

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“The nominating convention is a time for Republican unity,” Haley told the Washington Examiner. “Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America. We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track. I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.”

“She was not invited, and she’s fine with that,” Haley spokeswoman Chaney Denton added. “Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”

Marisa Schultz and Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report.