Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed five state house bills into law during a press conference at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, Florida on May 17, 2023. The event was attended by students, and DeSantis even gave a pen to one of them. The billionaire DeVos family, known for their ties to former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and former President Donald Trump, seems to be supporting DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential race. In June, the pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, received a $50,000 donation from the Orlando Magic NBA franchise. Although it is unclear who specifically authorized the donation, it is well-known that the DeVos family owns the team. This alliance between the DeVos family and DeSantis extends back to his first run for governor in 2018, with a shared focus on conservative education policy. As DeSantis emphasizes his efforts to reform Florida’s education system, the DeVos-DeSantis alliance sheds light on how the governor has cultivated support for his more controversial positions. The Magic spokesman clarified that the donation was made in support of DeSantis as governor, and it was given by a Florida business to promote the continued prosperity of Central Florida. The check was dated and delivered prior to DeSantis officially announcing his presidential campaign in May 2024. The senior members of the DeVos family, including Betsy DeVos, her husband Dick DeVos, and her brother-in-law Dan DeVos, who have stakes in the Orlando Magic, did not comment on the donation. The donation sparked controversy within Trump’s circle, as a senior advisor, Jason Miller, criticized the Orlando Magic for supporting DeSantis due to his history curriculum. Nonetheless, the DeVos family’s support for DeSantis is based on their shared vision for education policy, including financing candidates and groups that advocate for more funding for private school education and school choice. Despite Betsy DeVos’ role as Trump’s Education Secretary and her efforts to cut federal spending on education, the donation to DeSantis suggests that the DeVos family may not be supporting Trump in the 2024 race, at least not yet. Currently, no members of the DeVos family have contributed to Trump’s primary campaign this year. DeSantis maintains a significant lead over Trump in the primary field, according to polls. The close alignment between DeVos and DeSantis on education policy is evident in a recorded tele-town hall featuring Betsy DeVos and the governor. The tele-town hall aimed to gather signatures for petitions supporting the use of taxpayer funds for private school tuition, among other related expenses. DeVos praised DeSantis for his education approach, emphasizing his efforts to prioritize students and parents. DeSantis, in turn, expressed his opposition to indoctrination in schools, particularly regarding sexuality and critical race theory, highlighting legislation he signed to address these issues. Almost a year after the tele-town hall, DeSantis signed legislation preventing schools and workplaces from promoting discriminatory concepts. Betsy DeVos also applauded DeSantis for his initiative to expand school choice in Florida. The DeVos family has owned the Orlando Magic since 1991, and Betsy DeVos’s financial disclosure shows her investment in Orlando Magic Ltd. In recent years, the DeVos family has distanced themselves from Trump, evident in Betsy DeVos’s resignation letter after the Capitol riot in January 2021. The family has been consistent contributors to DeSantis’s gubernatorial campaigns, totaling over $350,000.
DeVos Family Turns to DeSantis instead of Trump for 2024
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