President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he could consider Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for a Cabinet position once the term-limited governor leaves office next year, a public signal of goodwill toward a former rival who has spent months aligning himself with the administration's agenda.
Speaking outside the White House before heading to his Florida estate for the weekend, Trump offered brief but pointed praise for DeSantis when asked about bringing him into the fold.
"Well, I like him a lot," Trump said, as Newsmax reported. Asked directly whether he had considered DeSantis for a role, Trump added: "Nobody's asked me that." He then repeated: "I like him a lot."
The remarks carry weight. Trump has reshuffled his Cabinet in recent weeks, with the departures of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. He has not yet nominated permanent replacements for Bondi or Chavez-DeRemer. Former Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma was confirmed March 23 as the new Homeland Security secretary.
That leaves real openings, and DeSantis, whose term ends in January, is a governor without a next act.
DeSantis challenged Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, a contest that produced sharp exchanges between the two men. But since Trump began his second term, DeSantis has aligned closely with the president's priorities, particularly on immigration enforcement and redistricting in Florida.
The two had lunch early last month at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami. After that sit-down, DeSantis's future in the administration became a topic of active discussion among people close to both men.
One source described the governor as "looking for what to do next" and said Trump is inclined to consider helping him. Another source acknowledged the conversation at the Doral lunch but cast doubt on one specific role.
"There was a conversation at that lunch. I don't think AG is real. But he's gonna be looking for work and Trump likes him."
That second source's skepticism about attorney general tracks with the current landscape. Bondi departed the role, and the vacancy remains unfilled, but six sources briefed on the discussions told Axios that DeSantis has expressed interest in serving as War secretary and has even floated the idea of a potential role on the Supreme Court.
Axios reported on April 21 that Trump has told confidants DeSantis is "begging" for a job in the administration, including attorney general. Trump's own characterization to confidants, as relayed to Axios, used blunter language than his public comments Friday.
"Ron was begging me to be AG [attorney general]."
That framing, Trump telling allies that DeSantis was the one asking, places the president firmly in the driver's seat. Whether DeSantis sees it the same way is unclear. Newsmax contacted DeSantis's office for comment, but the extraction does not indicate a response was received.
The gap between what Trump says publicly and what he reportedly tells confidants is worth noting. On camera, the president offered warm but noncommittal praise. Behind the scenes, the picture is more transactional, a former rival now seeking a place at the table, and a president weighing whether to offer one.
DeSantis's term as governor runs through January. Any Cabinet appointment would presumably come after that, unless Trump moved to nominate him in advance of his departure from Tallahassee. The timing aligns with a second-term administration that has already demonstrated a willingness to rotate personnel aggressively.
The attorney general slot, the War secretary post, and even a Supreme Court seat have all surfaced in discussions, according to the six sources briefed on the matter. Each carries different confirmation dynamics and political costs. An AG nomination would invite intense Senate scrutiny. A Supreme Court appointment, should a vacancy arise, would be an extraordinary elevation for a sitting governor.
For now, the concrete facts are these: two Cabinet seats lack permanent nominees, the president spoke favorably about DeSantis on camera, and multiple sources say the governor is actively exploring his options.
DeSantis's trajectory since the 2024 primary tells a familiar story in Republican politics. He ran hard against Trump, lost, and then moved to demonstrate loyalty through policy. His cooperation on immigration enforcement and redistricting gave him tangible deliverables to show the White House. The Doral lunch was the clearest public sign that the relationship had thawed.
Trump's Friday remarks, however brief, suggest the thaw is real. The president did not dismiss the idea of bringing DeSantis aboard. He did not hedge with criticism or qualify his praise. He said he liked DeSantis, twice, and left the door open.
Whether that door leads to the Justice Department, the Pentagon, or somewhere else remains an open question. But the Republican bench is deep, the administration has vacancies to fill, and a term-limited governor with executive experience and a demonstrated willingness to align with the president's agenda is not the worst candidate for any of them.
In Washington, loyalty after a loss counts for something. DeSantis appears to be betting it counts for a Cabinet seat.
