Trump’s Florida Pick UNDER FIRE!

Donald Trump’s newly endorsed candidate for Florida governor is under scrutiny over his ties to a controversial confidant, raising red flags among Republican insiders and threatening to derail MAGA momentum in the Sunshine State.

At a Glance

• Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) was endorsed by Donald Trump for Florida governor
• Concerns have emerged over Donalds’ close relationship with Larry Wilcoxson
• Wilcoxson has been described by Donalds as his “right-hand man” for years
• GOP insiders claim Trump failed to properly vet Donalds before endorsing him
• The controversy risks splintering Republican unity ahead of the 2026 election

MAGA Vetting Misfire?

Just weeks after Donald Trump anointed Rep. Byron Donalds as the GOP’s gubernatorial frontrunner in Florida, a political firestorm has ignited over Donalds’ decades-long association with Larry Wilcoxson. Wilcoxson, a shadowy figure little known to the public but deeply entrenched in Donalds’ political orbit, is now drawing intense scrutiny from party operatives.

Watch now: Gov. Ron DeSantis takes swipe at Congressman Byron Donalds · YouTube

“The president did not properly vet him,” one longtime Trump ally reportedly told political outlets, referencing the unease growing within Mar-a-Lago’s inner circle. The concern stems from Wilcoxson’s involvement in behind-the-scenes campaign strategy, fundraising operations, and advisory roles—despite having no formal political credentials.

The revelation is particularly explosive given Florida’s strategic weight in national GOP calculations. With Governor Ron DeSantis stepping down, the state is poised to become a battleground for ideological control of the Republican Party in 2026.

Shadow Figures and Shaky Ground

For years, Donalds has proudly referred to Wilcoxson as his “right-hand man,” with sources confirming the two have shared close business and political ties since before Donalds’ rise to Congress. Yet Wilcoxson’s background remains largely opaque, and his influence has been described by insiders as “outsized” and “unchecked.”

The lack of transparency surrounding Wilcoxson is triggering alarm bells in a party still recovering from high-profile endorsement misfires. Comparisons are already being made to Herschel Walker and Dr. Oz—two Trump-backed candidates whose personal controversies cost Republicans critical Senate seats.

Party officials now fear that Donalds’ candidacy, once seen as a seamless MAGA extension in DeSantis’ wake, may be vulnerable to opposition research and late-cycle revelations. More moderate Republicans are reportedly exploring alternative candidates behind closed doors, fearing a rerun of 2022’s chaos.

Loyalty or Liability?

Trump’s endorsement of Donalds was meant to signal unity within the MAGA base, but the fallout over Wilcoxson is casting doubt on whether the movement’s kingmaker still holds the Midas touch. Critics argue that personal loyalty once again outweighed strategic judgment, and that Donalds’ closeness to a potentially controversial figure is a ticking time bomb.

With Democratic operatives already sharpening their attacks and Florida’s primary season fast approaching, GOP strategists are scrambling to assess the damage. Whether Trump doubles down on his endorsement or pivots to protect his own credibility could define the party’s future in a critical swing state.

For now, the MAGA machine faces a difficult question: Is Byron Donalds a rising star—or an unvetted liability hiding in plain sight?