DeSantis’ team has eaten into what was once a vast advantage in financial support enjoyed by Putnam, who has the endorsement of the Republican and business establishment in Tallahassee. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images Trailing in polls, DeSantis scores Trump's 'full endorsement' on Twitter

With a new poll showing he’s trailing in the GOP primary for Florida governor, Rep. Ron DeSantis got a Friday boost from President Donald Trump, who made it clear that he backs the congressman's campaign.

“Congressman Ron DeSantis, a top student at Yale and Harvard Law School, is running for Governor of the Great State of Florida. Ron is strong on Borders, tough on Crime & big on Cutting Taxes - Loves our Military & our Vets,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “He will be a Great Governor & has my full Endorsement!”


The president’s show of support for DeSantis comes at a critical time for the Florida Republican. On Thursday evening, Fox News released results of a poll showing he was trailing Agriculture Commissioner and former Rep. Adam Putnam 32-17 percentage points among likely GOP voters in the race.

Still, there are signs that Putnam’s support is potentially soft. “Yet the largest number of voters, 39 percent, is unsure who they will back in the August 28 primary. Meanwhile, 46 percent of those supporting a candidate say they could still change their mind,” Fox noted. Other polls also show Putnam ahead.

DeSantis’ team has eaten into what was once a vast advantage in financial support enjoyed by Putnam, who has the endorsement of the Republican and business establishment in Tallahassee.

Including money from affiliated political committees, DeSantis has about $10 million cash on hand, compared with $14 million for Putnam. Putnam and outside groups have spent about $20 million so far, DeSantis’ team estimates.

DeSantis’ campaign plans to start his ad campaign Monday ahead of a nationally televised debate Thursday with Putnam.

A frequent guest on Fox, DeSantis has made a name for himself in Republican circles by being a vociferous defender of Trump, who called him one of his “warriors” in Congress. Trump is wildly popular among Florida Republicans, according to polls, and he dominated the GOP presidential primary in the state in 2016, when he beat Sen. Marco Rubio in 66 of 67 counties.

Trump’s Friday tweet, one of a handful endorsing other candidates in other states, should put to rest the criticism from DeSantis’ critics and opponents who said that the president in December technically didn’t endorse the congressman’s campaign for governor because he didn’t use the word “endorsement.”

Trump made sure to use that word and more on Friday, telling his 53 million followers in follow-up messages that Republicans will swamp the polls.

“Midterms will be a red tsunami of patriotic Americans who love our country!” Trump wrote, adding that followers can “JOIN THE MOVEMENT OF WINNERS!” by ordering a free "Make America Great Again" hat if they just pay the cost of shipping.