Arch enemies Trump and DeSantis must swear loyalty to each other if they want Florida votes: report

Mounting dislike between former President Donald Trump and his old ally Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a central theme for the 2024 Republican primary – but the pair has to bury the hatchet if they want to win votes in the Sunshine State.

Trump has increasingly attacked DeSantis over how he runs the state, called him disloyal and invented demeaning nicknames for him. DeSantis has increasingly fired back, calling the former president "full of it" and promoting a virulently homophobic attack ad against Trump from his super PAC.

But one complication may force them to at least on paper put aside their differences, POLITICO reported. The Florida GOP is insisting on a loyalty pledge before any candidates are allowed on the ballot.

"All GOP candidates will have to pledge their loyalty to the eventual Republican nominee to make the March 19 primary, a contest that could tip the balance of the crowded race since Florida’s contest is a winner-take-all primary. This is a significant change from 2015, when multiple candidates — including two from Florida — were running for president," reported Gary Fineout.

"The Republican Party of Florida approved the change at its executive board meeting held in mid-May and included the new provisions in an updated version of its bylaws that it filed with state election officials but have not been widely distributed," said the report. "The new oath, which includes a promise to “endorse” the GOP nominee and requires a candidate to pledge not to run as an independent or third-party candidate, mirrors language adopted by the Republican National Committee for its first debate."

All of this comes amid the Republican National Committee's own loyalty pledge, which is required for candidates to qualify for the first GOP primary debate.

One other candidate for president, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has criticized that pledge for not allowing an exception if the nominee is convicted of a felony — a real possibility, as Trump is under dozens of federal and state indictments with more potentially coming in the next few months. The RNC has held firm in refusing to create any carveout or exception to the pledge.