Former President Donald Trump praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis this week during a fundraiser that the governor held to help Trump win re-election this fall.
The Associated Press reported that DeSantis and his allies met in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this week over a fancy dinner where the governor pressed them over the importance of helping Trump.
The governor and dozens of allies then spent Thursday morning fundraising for Trump, bringing in more than $3 million for the super political action committee Right for America, the report said. Trump called into the meeting to thank everyone for their efforts and then praised the governor: “Ron, I love that you’re back.”
A top Trump ally told the publication that Trump World was “thrilled by the support we are receiving from Governor DeSantis.”
The news comes as new polling this month found that Republican voters who know who they want to be Trump’s vice presidential running mate choose DeSantis over other candidates.
The latest I&I/TIPP Poll indicated that 15% choose DeSantis as their first choice for VP, while 14% choose him as their second choice for VP.
The combined 29% that DeSantis had in the poll is more than double the support that the next highest candidates had, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who had a combined 12%, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, also at 12%.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Earlier this month, Trump and DeSantis met in Miami for a private meeting that was set up by real estate broker Steve Witkoff.
“I am very happy to have the full and enthusiastic support of Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida,” Trump posted on social media. “We had a great meeting.”
“The conversation mostly concerned how we would work closely together to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he continued. “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!!!”
The New York Times reported that the three men “met alone in a private room at Shell Bay,” a development and golf club that Witkoff owns.