'Both corrupt': Donald Trump and his former rival Ron DeSantis slammed as they meet to 'bury the hatchet'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump had a private meeting with Florida Governor and former rival GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis over breakfast on Sunday, April 28, NBC News reported.

The meeting took place at Shell Bay Club in Miami, Florida, where DeSantis was golfing when the business tycoon joined him.

A source described the interaction between them as "nice" and "friendly," adding that the Florida Governor planned to help raise money for the presumptive Republican nominee. Another source shared that the meeting was mutually agreed upon and arranged by real estate investor Steven Witkoff.

However, a Trump campaign official told NBC that it was DeSantis who reached out through Witkoff a couple of weeks ago to "bury the hatchet" with Trump and discuss fundraising.

Ron DeSantis' previous criticisms and endorsement of Trump

During his time as a contestant in the Republican primary for the 2024 election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was a strong critic of Trump, accusing him of running on personal issues.

"If he’s running for personal retribution, that is not going to lead to what we need as a country. You got to be running for the American people and their issues, not about your own personal issues, and that is a distinction between us," he told NBC during an interview in December 2023.

In separate instances, DeSantis claimed that "the swamp was not drained" during the Trump presidency, as well as slammed him over his stance on abortion, stating, "All pro-lifers should know that he’s preparing to sell you out."

DeSantis changed his tone after dropping out of the race and endorsed Trump while arguing that "we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”

He did stand firm on his opinion of not seeking the vice presidency during his time as a GOP candidate and even after it.

Internet slams Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis after their meeting

The internet was not pleased about the two Republicans meeting and slamming both Trump and DeSantis. "Kissing the Boss’s ring. This GOP is The Godfather movie all over again!!" exclaimed a social media user on X (formerly Twitter).

"Predictable that DeSantis would drop to his knees," wrote another.

"Birds of a feather, both corrupt," jibed a third.

"More like the 'what’s in it for me' meeting. Each one wants something from the other," commented a fourth.

"Both of them useless..." chided a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.