Matt Gaetz

Tallahassee, Fla. - Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is still considering a run for Florida governor - a twist that complicates the Republican primary, which is already a candidate outlined by Trump, and is likely the wife of the current governor.

Trump supported R-FLA's Rep. Byron Donalds for the 2026 game, and Trump advisers said that no matter what happens, Donalds is the only recognition of Donalds. But the field remains unstable as Gaetz and Gov. Ron DeSantis's wife Casey are on the wings.

Trump won Florida by 13 percentage points last year, and his support for Donald has not cleared the field, despite being considered the state's king manufacturer. It is believed that the main areas of the Republican Party have not been set, according to 10 long-term national and state-level Republican agents interviewed by NBC News, including those directly involved in the competition. Many of them asked to say frankly anonymously.

The mindset of settlement is that Gates sees opportunities if Donalds and Casey Desantis run. Now a tee primary for the Republican-oriented country, which can provide opportunities for dark horse candidates to win the Republican nomination with about 30% of the vote.

"Matt kept thinking - I could see him seeing a potential multi-way race that showed him the chance to reappear the run," said an experienced Florida Republican agent.

Gaetz, who was originally nominated as his attorney general, was nominated for fear of past allegations of sexual misconduct, and did nothing to understate him, and he once again seriously considered running for governor. Gaetz, a news host for conservative television network OAN, has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

"I've had a TV show on one U.S. news," he told NBC News on Monday. "Casey was right about one thing: It's still early. Many tectonic boards around next year may change in Florida."

Casey Desantis told reporters this month she understands why "it's a big conversation, but I'll also say it's been over a year since the qualifying round." Gates is widely believed to be considering running for state attorney general, but over the past few weeks, as he began publicly speaking about his support for potential cases.

Gates' praise is worth noting. He often follows Casey DeSantis, including in OAN performances around the Florida scandal.

"Matt is using the compliment of the patented true Gates backhand," said a Republican from Florida, a Republican who participated in the game. "He thought three games would benefit him, and he was thinking 'Why not?' in double (Trump) approval."

First lady Casey DeSantis faces scrutiny on Florida's hopes.Gregg Pachkowski / USA Today Network

Republicans in the Legislature have been investigating whether the DeSantis administration uses the $10 million illegal use of the Medicaid settlement to help beat the 2024 voting measures to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. A group of people flowing along the way was Hope Florida, a group associated with the First Lady.

The Legislature has abandoned the investigation, but the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald reported Tuesday that Leon County Attorney Jack Campbell is now investigating the effort.

Ron DeSantis defended Hope Florida on Tuesday, which aims to provide grants to help residents of low-income states become financially self-sufficient.

"I believe in this plan and I support it 100% on it," DeSantis said.

Donalds is largely considered a major part of Trump’s approval, and also because he has raised more than $14 million in funding, including a large amount of money from Trump’s national fundraising network. Major national donors to Donalds include Jeff Yass ($5 million), Richard Uihlein ($1 million) and Thomas Peterffy ($1 million).

Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis, once seen as a sure-fire replacement for her term-restricted husband, has weakened that enthusiasm over the past few weeks, centered on hope Florida.

However, last week she and her husband held a public event to hype and defend Florida’s hopes, signaling many that she is working to regain the narrative about the social welfare group and is still considering running for governor.

A Republican familiar with Casey DeSantis's thoughts said she and the governor held a press conference this week on Florida's hopes, "a new experimental balloon designed to be a potential candidate."

"It seems like the governor has no one else to find anyone else, so he's back to push his wife," the operator said.

Desantis World Political Agent Taryn Fenske declined to comment on this article.

Currently, Fenske is one of the only consultants in the work of DeSantis's political machine, who itself raises questions about the action. A series of long-time staff working for Ron DeSantis, including his 2024 presidential bid failed, and she was not considering working at Casey DeSantis when she ran. Florida pollster Ryan Tyson is the midstream for the presidential campaign of Ron DeSantis, his 2024 fundraiser Makenzi Mahler, Makenzi Mahler It's the ones who intend to bid by their wives.

“The first thing you need is a regular consultant and fundraising event,” said a national Republican agent who has not yet been consistent in the game. "She didn't. That must be the starting point, and I don't know how they went beyond that."

Rep. Byron Donalds received Trump's approval in the 2026 Florida Governor's game.Andrew West / USA Today Network

Trump did offer double recognition in the Republican primary in the Arizona Governor's Tournament, but his advisers told NBC News not to expect him to play again in any competition, including the Florida Governor's Tournament.

Trump advisers also believe Donalds will do his best to signal Trump that he is willing to work hard to eliminate other potential Republican competitors.

"You have to work for something like this, and we see him doing it," Trump adviser said. "There is no reason President Trump will deviate at this time."

Developments are expected to take place after Florida's legislative session, which will take place at the end of June after being postponed due to the national budget.

"Everyone is watching Casey, she decides what to do," said a Republican who is familiar with her thinking process. "There is expected to be a decision after the meeting, and it all falls into the same way until she decides one way or another."