Florida GOP Candidate Distances Campaign From Trump Ties

WHO:

CNN - GOP candidate for Florida governor, Rep. Byron Donalds

CNN - President Trump

CNN - House Speaker Mike Johnson

CNN - Rep. María Elvira Salazar

CNN - Former Rep. David Jolly

Alternet - Robbie Smither

Alternet - Former Rep. Mike Beltran

Alternet - Former Rep. Gwen Graham

Alternet - Disgraced former Rep. Matt Gaetz

WHAT:

CNN - Byron Donalds removed several references to Trump from his campaign website.

CNN - The campaign website previously described Donalds as a “Trump-endorsed Proven Conservative Fighter.”

CNN - Trump’s endorsement is now less prominently featured on the website.

CNN - A CNN/SSRS poll indicates only 26% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the situation in Iran.

Alternet - Donalds scrubbed at least eight prominent references to Trump from his website.

Alternet - Donalds previously described himself as a “Trump supporting, liberty loving, proven Conservative.”

Alternet - Donalds stated he was “incredibly honored” to earn Trump’s endorsement.

Alternet - Trump’s endorsement message included “RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

WHERE:

CNN - Florida

Alternet - Florida’s 13th Congressional District, covering much of the St. Petersburg area

WHEN:

CNN - Elections are taking place this fall.

Alternet - The general election is in 42 days.

WHY:

CNN - Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump due to his unpopularity, which may affect election results.

Alternet - Donalds’ website changes reflect a shift in strategy as Trump’s approval rating reaches record lows.

HOW:

CNN - The changes to Donalds’ campaign website were first reported by the Miami Herald.

Alternet - The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine confirmed the details of the website changes.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 20:58 UTC)

GOP candidate for Florida governor, Byron Donalds, has removed several references to Trump from his campaign website, which previously touted him as a “Trump-endorsed Proven Conservative Fighter.” This shift comes as a CNN/SSRS poll reveals only 26% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the situation in Iran, prompting Republicans to distance themselves from him ahead of the elections taking place this fall. With the general election just 42 days away, Donalds’ website changes reflect a strategic pivot in response to Trump’s declining approval ratings.