Byron Donalds to reap campaign cash at Mar-a-Lago while DeSantis' foundation under scrutiny

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(This story has been updated to add new information.)

President Donald Trump will begin his second hundred days this Thursday, May, 1 but will he play Florida gubernatorial kingmaker at Mar-a-Lago?

A Federal Aviation Administration alert notified pilots that temporary flight restrictions will be imposed over parts of Palm Beach County starting Thursday and concluding Sunday, May 4. The so-called temporary flight restrictions usually herald a visit by Trump, and this would be his 10th stay in Palm Beach this White House term.

It might also be the first for JD Vance as vice president. The FAA also advised of "VIP Movement" for May 1 for Vance.

Thursday's date coincides with a fundraiser for Florida Republican governor candidate Byron Donalds at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and private club. Donalds, who currently represents a Naples area congressional district, announced in late March that he would seek the GOP gubernatorial in next year's election.

But Trump revealed earlier this month that he would give a graduation speech at the University of Alabama. The speech will be Thursday evening.

Donalds' event at Mar-a-Lago follows Trump enthusiastic endorsement

Donalds kicked-off his campaign following Trump's calling on the congressman to seek the highest office in the president's adopted home state in a post on Truth Social in February.

"As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda," Trump wrote. "He will fight tirelessly to Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Protect our Vets, Restore our Economic Power, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.

He added: "RUN, BYRON, RUN!"

A couple weeks later, on April 11, Donalds attended the Republican Party of Palm Beach County annual Lincoln Day fundraising gala at Mar-a-Lago.

According to a post on X, it costs $3,000 per person to attend the Donalds cocktail reception and $50,000 to participate in both the cocktail reception and dinner. According to an expenditures report on the Friends of Byron Donalds website, the committee paid $68,929.40 to the Mar-a-Lago Club on April 21.

While Donalds basks in Palm Beach, DeSantises mired in scrutiny over foundation

Incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis is completing his second term and cannot for re-election again.

However, speculation has swirled around a potential gubernatorial run by Florida first lady Casey DeSantis. Polls have shown she would be a popular candidate among Florida Republican voters. The DeSantises have done noting to squelch or dampen talk of a Casey DeSantis gubernatorial bid.

But while Donalds will raise money at Mar-a-Lago this week, Casey DeSantis remains mired in a political scandal. Her Hope Florida Foundation continues drawing scrutiny for a $10 million "donation" it received from a state legal settlement.

DeSantis' critics, including Republicans in the Florida Legislature, have questioned whether the acceptance of the money was proper while the governor and first lady dismiss the criticism as political smears.

In his first hundred days in office, which concluded April 30, Trump visited the Palm Beach Winter White House nine times. This visit would conclude Sunday, May 4.

Trump's return would mean the closure of South Ocean Boulevard next to Mar-a-Lago, which is mandated by the U.S. Secret Service. The road shuts down from the Southern Boulevard traffic circle to the intersection with South County Road each time Trump is home.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the Paste BN Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the Paste BN Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.