Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to propose a 2.63-acre parcel in Miami-Dade County near the Freedom Tower for the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library at the upcoming Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund on Sept. 30, his office announced this week.
The governor, who once sparred with President Trump on the 2024 presidential campaign trail, is the Chair of the board.
"President Trump has achieved results for the American people and made a lasting impact on our nation’s history," DeSantis said in a release. "No state has better delivered the President’s agenda than the Free State of Florida, and we would be honored to house his presidential library here in his home state.”
The item proposal comes as rumors of a possible DeSantis-Trump proxy in the governor's race between Lt. Gov. Collins and Congressman Byron Donalds swirl in political circles. Collins is expected by many to decide within the next few months, while Donalds has already been endorsed by Trump in the race.
Does DeSantis think giving Trump his own library will give him some cover? The president is known to envy loyalty, but how far will that go if his pick for governor needs to endure a Republican primary, and possibly force Trump to do a little extra lobbying in the race?
According to the governor's office, the parcel is currently used as an employee parking lot for Miami-Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. If approved by the Board, the lot would become the first Presidential library in Florida and "provide generations of Americans the ability to honor the service and legacy" of Trump, who was America's 45th and current 47th President.
The site would also provide "additional economic development opportunities" in South Florida. Established in 1855, the board is responsible for the "acquisition, management, protection, and disposition" of state-owned lands.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia, and Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson are also on the board. The lieutenant governor is not listed as a member.
Trump won Miami-Dade by 11.5 points and Florida overall by 13 points over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race.
