President Donald Trump is keeping the door open for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the nation’s next attorney general, offering warm praise for his former Republican rival during a recent podcast interview.
Speaking Tuesday with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on her “Pod Force One” podcast, Trump said DeSantis is among several Republicans being discussed as a potential replacement for former Attorney General Pam Bondi, though he stopped short of making any commitment.
“People thought of different names. There are some good names,” Trump told Devine.
Trump noted that DeSantis has never approached him about the position.
“He’s never talked about wanting the job,” the president said.
The comments highlight how dramatically relations have improved between Trump and DeSantis since their bruising 2024 Republican primary showdown. During that campaign, Trump frequently mocked the Florida governor as “Ron DeSanctimonious.” Today, the president is singing a very different tune.
“He’s a governor and doing a very good job,” Trump said. “He’s a friend of mine.”
Trump also pointed to a recent honor bestowed by Florida lawmakers and signed into law by DeSantis.
“He just named an airport after me,” Trump said. “They named the Palm Beach International Airport the Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
The airport renaming became official after DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year. Trump called the designation “a great honor.”
The president also referenced DeSantis’ support for plans involving Trump’s future presidential library.
While DeSantis’ name is generating buzz among conservatives, Trump suggested he’s pleased with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who currently leads the Department of Justice and previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.
“I wanted to see how he’s received,” Trump said of Blanche. “He’s done a very good job.”
Trump indicated that no final decision has been made.
“There are a lot of great people,” the president said. “The Republican Party — we have great people.”
For his part, DeSantis has publicly downplayed speculation about a possible role in the Trump administration.
According to Florida Politics, the governor recently said, “No one’s ever asked me to do anything, and I’ve never asked to do anything.”
Still, some Republicans believe DeSantis would be a strong fit for the nation’s top law enforcement post.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) who is running to succeed DeSantis as governor, told conservative commentator Benny Johnson last month that he believes DeSantis would “make a very good attorney general.”
“Knowing Gov. DeSantis, he will make sure that he looks through everything with a fine-tooth comb to hold people accountable and I think that’s a spot he could be incredibly well-suited for,” Donalds said, while also praising Blanche’s performance.
For now, Trump appears content to keep his options open — and DeSantis’ name firmly in the conversation.
Watch the full podcast below:
