DeSantis denies Washington Post report that he is preparing a 2028 presidential run
The Florida governor says on X the story is fabricated, while ABC News, citing two sources, reports he has made no final decision.
The Washington Post reported that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing another presidential run in 2028. It said he got in touch with at least one national political consultant to discuss a campaign role, and a fundraising text was sent by a federal linked to him. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that three people briefed on his plans say he is preparing to seek the Republican nomination.
On Friday, DeSantis denied it on X. He wrote that the Post was "fabricating this out of whole cloth" and that he had "not reached out to anybody about running for anything." He called it a "pathetic attempt to garner clicks" built on anonymous sources. ABC News, citing two people familiar with his thinking, reports that he is keeping his options open and has not made a final decision.
The story follows Republican losses in the , when the party lost both chambers of . DeSantis called the result "close to an extinction-level event" for Republicans, and said Florida held the line. Republican Byron Donalds won the Florida governor's race.
DeSantis's term ends in January. He ran for president in 2024 and dropped out shortly before the New Hampshire primary.
- at least onenational political consultant DeSantis reached out to, per the Post's reportNew York Post
- three peoplepeople briefed on DeSantis's plans, per the InquirerThe Philadelphia Inquirer
- two peoplepeople familiar with his thinking, per ABC NewsABC News
Three sides of the story
6 news outlets reported this · Little coverage from liberal outlets
Tap a color or swipe sideways to switch sides.
Liberal2 outlets
DeSantis's 2028 plans after Florida resisted the wave
The Philadelphia Inquirer leads with the report that DeSantis is "preparing to run" in 2028, citing three people briefed on his plans. It quotes donor Dan Eberhart saying Florida's resistance to the blue wave gives DeSantis credibility. Citing one person close to him, the paper reports that he has contacted at least one national strategist, and his super PAC sent a fundraising text.
It adds that the assumption that Vice President JD Vance was the front-runner was upended by the midterms. ABC News frames it differently. Its headline says he "hasn't made final decision," and two sources say he is watching whether there is a lane for him.
ABC quotes his "meteor strike" remark and his criticism of Republicans over gas prices tied to the Iran war, and notes his 2024 campaign was marred by infighting and overspending. ABC says it asked his office for comment, and the Inquirer says his chief of staff did not respond.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis planning another White House run
- ABC News: Ron DeSantis hasn't made final decision on 2028 run: Sources
Center0 outlets
Outlets on this side gave the story little coverage.
Conservative4 outlets
DeSantis's flat denial of the Washington Post report
The New York Post, running a Fox News piece, leads with DeSantis firing back at the Washington Post. It quotes his X post: "fabricating this out of whole cloth." It also reports his replies to users, including "sorry to disappoint."
Just the News headlines that he "strongly knocks down" the report and stresses that the Post used anonymous sources. It adds that Vance and Rubio are considered top contenders. The Washington Times says he denied having taken steps toward a 2028 run after his party's midterm losses.
The wire piece also notes that Republican Byron Donalds won Florida's governor race and that Republicans lost both chambers of Congress.
Which side made the stronger case?
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All sources: 6 articles from 6 outlets
Liberal (2)
- ABC News: Ron DeSantis hasn't made final decision on 2028 run: Sources
- The Philadelphia Inquirer: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis planning another White House run
Conservative (4)
- Fox News: DeSantis blasts Washington Post over report he's preparing 2028 presidential bid
- Just the News: DeSantis strongly knocks down report he's considering running for president
- New York Post: Outgoing Florida Gov. DeSantis breaks silence on reported White House plans with jab at major newspaper
- The Washington Times: DeSantis denies report he's planning 2028 presidential campaign
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