Trump Endorses Florida GOP Slate Ahead of Tuesday Primary

Trump backed Moody, Donalds, and Uthmeier for Florida offices, urging voters to support them in the August primary.

Published Tue Aug 18 2026 00:26:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Donald Trump issued a series of endorsements late Sunday for key Florida races, backing Senator Ashley Moody, Congressman Byron Donalds, and Attorney General James Uthmeier. The former president urged voters to turn out for the Tuesday primary, claiming the candidates would advance his "America First" agenda.

Trump praised Moody, a fifth-generation Floridian, for her work on the economy and border security. He similarly lauded Donalds, running for governor, as a "total winner" who would fight for energy dominance and tax cuts. Both endorsements were posted on Truth Social.

In a separate post, Trump backed Uthmeier for Attorney General, highlighting his defense of executive power. Trump claimed that over 1,000 "criminal pedophiles" were arrested under Uthmeier's leadership per the post. The former president framed Uthmeier as a "strong conservative fighter" essential for law and order.

While Florida politics dominated the cycle, other global developments emerged. CBS News reported that former Hurricane Lala caused flash floods sweeping away homes on Hawaii's Big Island. Meanwhile, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss moved to block siblings from selling the family stake to Bob Iger or Joshua Kushner, per CNBC.

The Florida endorsements signal Trump's continued influence over the state's GOP machinery as voters head to the polls. The outcome of these races will test the strength of his backing in down-ballot contests.

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• RT @realDonaldTrumpEarlier this month, India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration — How can you have Elections in the U.S. without a valid Photo ID? India’s last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1% voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document. We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now! President DONALD J. TRUMP (Trump - Truth Social)
• Senator Ashley Moody is doing a tremendous job representing the incredible people of Florida, a State I love, and WON BIG, in 2016, 2020, and 2024! A fifth generation Floridian, Ashley served as State Attorney General for six years prior to becoming a very distinguished and well respected U.S. Senator. Ashley is working tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Ashley Moody has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Election Day is Tuesday, August 18th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR ASHLEY — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Find your Voting Location here: (Trump - Truth Social)
• Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG, in 2016, 2020, and 2024. I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER! Byron has a great wife, Erika, and three beautiful sons. They are very proud of him! As Governor, Byron will have a BIG Voice, and work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. He will fight tirelessly to help Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Veterans, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Byron Donalds will be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Election Day is Tuesday, August 18th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR BYRON — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Find your Voting Location here: (Trump - Truth Social)
• Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is doing a GREAT job for the Sunshine State, which I won BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024. James is an America First Warrior, who is a true champion for “MAGA.” He is THE MAN behind ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ, and argued strongly at the United States Supreme Court in defense of my Executive Power to fire Deep State bureaucrats. Under James’ fearless leadership, over 1,000 CRIMINAL PEDOPHILES have been arrested, missing children have been SAVED, and our Great Members of Law Enforcement have been empowered to do their jobs and, KEEP FLORIDA SAFE. In his next term, James will continue to work tirelessly to Ensure Law and Order, Uphold our Constitutional Rights, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. James Uthmeier is a Strong Conservative Fighter and Prosecutor, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement! Election Day is Tuesday, August 18th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JAMES — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Find your Voting Location here: (Trump - Truth Social)
• Former Hurricane Lala drenches Hawaii, flash floods sweep away Big Island homes (CBS News)
• Lakers governor Jeanie Buss says siblings cannot sell family’s stake to Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner (CNBC)