Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly slammed Republican challenger Byron Donalds (R-FL) for his apparent sway from President Donald Trump while recently speaking on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MS Now.
"It's clear Byron Donalds is running away from Donald Trump now," Jolly said. "Trump's numbers are at a historic low. He's highly unpopular in the midst of an economic crisis. He's building ballrooms and arches and scamming the American people out of their life savings with crypto scams and other things that make his family rich."
According to a recent Newsweek analysis, President Trump's approval rating in Florida is 15 points underwater (40/55). Trump endorsed Byron Donalds for Florida governor in February 2025 and reinforced his support before the Republican primary in August.
"He's Donald Trump's guy," Jolly said on Donalds. "Byron Donalds has called Donald Trump his daddy. He's given him an A on the economy. He said he's the best president in the history of the United States."
As further evidence, Jolly pointed to Rep. Donalds removing President Trump's name from his campaign website, a move that was quickly dispersed by Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters, who called Donalds "the most pro-Donald Trump member of Congress" in a recent interview.
But Jolly isn't concerned about his opponent. Instead, the Democratic hopeful is keeping the focus on issues, including a major one over affordability on voters' minds.
"I don't actually have to litigate Donald Trump or even Byron Donalds in this case because I'm focused on housing, healthcare, food and gas, good schools for our kids, and no data centers," Jolly said.
Jolly also reiterated that point to O'Donnell last week.
With the gubernatorial election in less than 40 days, days, Jolly's message could be resonating. According to multiple election forecasts, Jolly is gaining on Donalds, a position some may have though was impossible just a few months ago.
The general election is Nov. 3.
