Florida gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) updated his campaign website in September 2026 to remove several prominent references to President Donald Trump. While the site previously featured a focus on the president's endorsement and agenda, the updated version emphasizes policy themes such as affordability and insurance costs.
The changes occurred as Donalds, a long-time ally of the president, prepares for the November general election against Democratic nominee David Jolly. Donalds previously endorsed Trump over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the primary and launched his campaign in February 2025 with the president's endorsement. During a summit on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Donalds stated that his campaign had been working on these website updates for approximately two months to reflect his vision for the future of Florida.
According to archived versions of the website from August 2026, the homepage formerly featured a photo of Donalds and his wife with the president and a section titled "On the Issues" that promised to "Enact the Trump Agenda." The new version replaced that "Issues" section with the slogan "Accountable, Achievable, Affordable!" and moved Trump’s endorsement to a scrolling list shared with other figures. ABC News and The Washington Post reported that these adjustments follow a trend of Republican candidates modifying their digital presence as the president's approval ratings have declined amid public concern over the Iran war and rising fuel prices.
The modification of campaign messaging comes as candidates evaluate the state's registered voters ahead of the November midterm elections. The shift from a personality-centered platform to a policy-focused one—specifically targeting affordability and insurance—directly addresses financial concerns of households facing rising gas and diesel prices.
The shift is reflected in the candidates' efforts to appeal to a broader general election audience. By moving the "Trump-Endorsed" branding from a headline position to a secondary list of endorsements, the campaign is attempting to balance the support of the president's followers with the concerns of other voters. This change occurs as national polling shows the president's approval reaching new lows during the final stretch of the campaign season.
For residents in Florida, this indicates that the final weeks of the gubernatorial race will likely center on state-level economic relief rather than federal loyalty tests. The precedent set by Donalds follows other Republican House candidates who have similarly reduced the visibility of the president on their platforms. The general election will take place in November 2026.
Donalds stated on September 23 that the changes do not mean he is backing away from the president’s agenda, which he described as a "common-sense agenda" focused on law and order and border security. A campaign spokesman, Gates McGavick, reiterated that Donalds remains proud of the endorsement and is focusing on transparency and insurance costs.