Rep. Donalds downplays Trump connection on his governor campaign website

As Trump's approval rating plummets, candidates weigh whether he's a liability.

September 22, 2026, 11:56 PM

When Republican Rep. Bryon Donalds announced his campaign for Florida governor on Fox News in February 2025, he said he was "excited to have the full endorsement of President Trump," and his campaign website described him as a "Trump-Endorsed Proven Conservative Fighter."

This week, with Trump's approval ratings hitting lows in the final stretch of the midterm campaign season, Donalds adjusted his website, removing several mentions of the president. 

His site now features video of Donalds campaigning and appearing on stage in front of supporters with his family -- with Trump's endorsement reduced to one of several from prominent Republicans rolling across the page.

Responding to the attention to his updated site, Donalds shared an updated image of his endorsements page, saying, "I am proud to have President Trump’s endorsement."

"While everyone is focused on our website, check out our policy proposals to make life more affordable for Floridians," he added.

The changes, similar to other GOP candidates, come as some Republicans are taking steps to distance themselves from Trump amid voters' frustrations with the Iran war and rising gas and diesel prices.

Donalds' home page also no longer features a photo of Donalds and his wife posing with Trump, or a section called "On the Issues," that says Donalds "is committed to implementing President Trump's Make America Great Again agenda so that our state and our nation's best days are still ahead."

A spokesman for Donalds said the congressman is "proud" to have Trump's endorsement. Donalds, unlike some Republicans running for re-election, appeared on stage at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month, helping the party sell Trump and Republicans' legislative record. 

"Our campaign website reflects Byron's focus on the issues that matter most to Floridians -- affordability, insurance costs, and government transparency. He's running to be the next Governor of Florida, is proud to have President Trump's endorsement, and has real policy proposals to tackle those issues," Gates McGavick told ABC News in a statement.