Erika Donalds reveals her MAGA star husband’s reaction after Donald Trump shockingly endorsed him for Florida governor.
While it’s not a shock that ambitious Rep. Byron Donalds was eyeing the seat that will be left vacant after Ron DeSantis exits the governor’s mansion, Trump’s backing came as quite the surprise.
That’s because Donalds, R-Fla., hasn’t officially entered the race.
On Thursday evening, Trump took to his Truth Social account to endorse Byron ‘should he decide to run.’
Erika Donalds, who has been married to Byron for almost 22 years, revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com’s Welcome to MAGAland podcast hosts that her family was in total shock.
‘Well, amazingly, I did not know it was coming, nor did my husband, of course, yesterday. He was home with our son going to his championship basketball game and I was here at CPAC,’ she explained.
‘I was calling him frantically like “oh my gosh, I cant believe this just happened,’ she went on.
‘The first time I get to see him is when he comes here [to the Conservative Political Action Conference] to celebrate. Even though he’s not in the race yet, it’s such an honor to get that kind of support from the president, who we love, and we’ll see what happens next.’
Erika Donalds reveals her MAGA star husband’s reaction after Donald Trump shockingly endorsed him for Florida governor
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., arrives before President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey team
‘I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
‘I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!’
He even praised Erika and their ‘three beautiful sons’ aged 21, 17 and 13.
Trump said that Byron would work to advance his America First Agenda in the state that the president calls home.
He then explicitly called for him to get into the race – and soon.
Trump took to his Truth Social account to endorse Byron in the race
Donald is a close MAGA ally of Trump’s who recently traveled with him to the Daytona 500 race in Florida
‘Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!’
Donald is a close MAGA ally of Trump’s who recently traveled with him to the Daytona 500 race in Florida.
He’s been a fierce advocate of the president’s on the campaign trail and beyond.
Erika said her husband worked ‘so hard’ to get Trump back in the White House – especially spending two months in Pennsylvania.
‘It wasn’t about being on Air Force One, or being with the president, it was like saving the country and doing what was right.’
‘Byron was very loyal in doing the right thing for the country by supporting President Trump and President Trump has seen what a patriot my husband is and how dedicated he is,’ she continued.
Erika told DailyMail.com that her whole family ‘is totally on board’ for whatever is next for Byron and his political ambitions.
And as for Byron’s own plans, he told the CPAC crowd ‘stay tuned.’
