Florida Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds is facing ridicule after prominent references to President Donald Trump suddenly disappeared from his campaign website ahead of the November election.
The changes gained attention after The Washington Post shared its reporting on X, telling readers that Donalds appeared to be distancing himself from Trump as Florida’s governor race tightened. This caused a massive uproar, as locals feel he is betraying the party he supports.
Florida voters replying to the post were skeptical that a website redesign could separate Donalds from the president who endorsed him and helped define his campaign.
One critic delivered a blunt warning: “We all know Byron Donalds is a Trumper. We will NOT forget.”
Another predicted that the apparent distance would not last, writing, “He’ll come crawling back. This guy has no self-respect whatsoever.” A third response mocked Donalds with the nickname “Dimebag Donalds” and shared images meant to highlight his previous controversies.
The Florida backlash followed the removal of at least eight Trump references from Donalds’ homepage. The earlier website described him as a “Trump-endorsed proven conservative fighter” and featured a fundraising appeal asking visitors to support “Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds.”
The site also removed a photograph of Donalds and his wife posing with Trump, along with a banner featuring Trump’s “Run, Byron, run” endorsement.
Campaign spokesperson Gates McGavick denied that Donalds was abandoning the president. He said the redesigned website reflects the candidate’s focus on affordability, insurance costs and government transparency, adding that Donalds “is proud to have President Trump’s endorsement.”
Florida Locals React
That explanation has not stopped folks from portraying the overhaul as an election-season calculation. Donalds relied heavily on Trump’s backing during the Republican primary, but he must now attract a broader group of Florida voters against Democratic nominee David Jolly.
For some local GOP voters responding online, removing Trump’s photograph and campaign slogans does not erase Donalds’ years of enthusiastic support.
