Pro Trump Rep. Lance Gooden: ‘DeSantis’ day may come, but it’s not today’

Donald Trump hosted Representative Lance Gooden and his family at Mar-a-Lago on Monday after the Texas Republican backed the former president after a meeting on Capitol Hill with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis made a trip to Washington, DC, last month to meet with several lawmakers, including Gooden. Many saw the trip as a way for the popular Republican governor to try to garner support for a potential White House bid.

Gooden endorsed Trump just after meeting DeSantis in April, telling DailyMail.com this week that while “DeSantis’ day may come, it’s not today.”

The Texan lawmaker brought his wife Alexa and their two children Liam, 5, and Milla, 3, to meet with Trump at his Palm Beach, Florida estate on Monday, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

A person familiar with Gooden’s plans says the congressman plans to serve as a strong voice in Washington, D.C. to push for Trump’s re-election.

Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Gooden and wife Alexa touring Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met with Gooden in DC last month — a moment later he endorsed Trump. Gooden told DailyMail.com: ‘Ron DeSantis’ day may come, but it’s not today’

“Now is not the time for untried leadership,” Gooden said when asked if he would muster his support for the former president over DeSantis.

“The American people desperately need a champion in their corner who knows how to take a punch and throw it,” the Texas legislature added. “President Trump planted his feet in the arena, took the blows and stood firm.”

Ron DeSantis’ day may come, but not today. 2024 is the first year on the march to a New American Era, and none other than President Donald J. Trump can lead our nation back to greatness.”

Gooden said the meeting with DeSantis last month reinforced his sense that “America’s best hope is for national renewal” by electing Trump for another four years.

The Texas legislator last month said he had a “positive meeting” with DeSantis in the nation’s capital, but did not hesitate to support Trump.

Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, DeSantis’ home state, also said he would support Trump’s primary run following the former congressman’s April rallies. This brings the total number of endorsements for Trump to seven out of 20 Florida Republican congressmen.

Trump already has 54 approvals in Congress.

A person familiar with Gooden’s plans told DailyMail.com that the congresswoman plans to serve as a surrogate for Trump in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 campaign. Pictured: Alexa Gooden shows off her Trump-signed MAGA hat in the hallways of Mar-a-Lago

Gooden’s son Liam, 5, and daughter Milla, 3, play with stuffed toy versions of an airplane in Mar-a-Lago on Monday while wearing their MAGA hats

DeSantis has not yet announced a bid for the White House, but has already received three endorsements from members of the House of Representatives.

Gooden brought his wife and two children to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Monday.

“The 2024 election cycle is a marathon and President Trump relies on strong voices in Washington to cut through the political noise of the establishment and speak directly to the American people,” Gooden said of his meeting with the former president.

“I am honored to have his confidence,” he added. ‘The best has yet to come; this campaign has only just begun and change is coming sooner than you think. I look forward to working with the president to lead his agenda in Washington.”