Traitor in the Mist of Florida

Florida politics took a dramatic turn this week when State Senator Randy Fine, fresh off his victory in the Republican primary for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, found himself at the center of a firestorm. Fine, who had been riding the wave of a Trump endorsement, made a stunning power play by refusing to push forward the immigration bill championed by both Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. His move not only reignited his long-standing feud with DeSantis but also positioned him as an unlikely adversary to Trump himself—infuriating Republicans across the state who now see him as a “Trump traitor.”

The Immigration Bill That Sparked a Civil War

For months, Florida Republicans have been working to pass a stringent immigration bill designed to align with Trump’s America First policies. The legislation would have repealed in-state tuition for undocumented students, increased state enforcement of immigration laws, and shifted power away from the governor’s office in favor of a new state immigration authority.

Despite Trump’s vocal support, Fine used his influence in the legislature to stall the bill, a move that shocked GOP insiders. By delaying the vote and forcing lawmakers to reconvene three days later, Fine effectively torpedoed what should have been a straightforward victory for both Trump and DeSantis. The delay ensured the bill lost momentum, leaving it dead in the water—an outcome that had DeSantis fuming and Trump blindsided.

Betrayal of Trump: A Calculated Gamble?

Fine’s decision to derail the immigration bill wasn’t just a policy disagreement—it was a strategic power move. Insiders suggest this was his opening gambit in a long-game plan to run for governor in 2026, aiming to position himself as the “true conservative” alternative to DeSantis.

Trump’s endorsement had been instrumental in Fine’s congressional primary victory, mobilizing MAGA voters who believed he was a reliable Trump ally. However, his actions in the legislature sent a clear message—Fine was willing to defy Trump’s agenda if it served his own political ambitions. That betrayal didn’t go unnoticed.

The Fallout: “Trump Traitor” Takes Heat from the Right

Almost immediately, Florida Republicans turned on Fine. MAGA loyalists, who had backed him just days earlier, took to social media and conservative radio to denounce him. Some even called for Trump to rescind his endorsement, arguing that Fine had used the former president’s influence to win the primary—only to stab him in the back.

“He rode Trump’s coattails to victory and then turned around and blocked Trump’s immigration plan,” said one prominent Florida GOP operative. “That’s not leadership, that’s opportunism.”

Even some of Fine’s allies privately questioned the wisdom of his move. With Trump still the dominant force in the Republican Party, going against him—even in a feud with DeSantis—could be a political death sentence.

Can Fine Survive the MAGA Backlash?

Fine now faces an uphill battle as he heads into the general election for Florida’s 6th Congressional District. His opponents will undoubtedly seize on his immigration bill sabotage to paint him as a self-serving politician who can’t be trusted by either faction of the GOP.

Meanwhile, Trump himself has yet to comment publicly on Fine’s defection. If the former president turns against him, Fine could find himself politically isolated, with neither Trump’s nor DeSantis’ support—a dangerous position for any Republican in Florida.

For now, one thing is clear: Randy Fine may have won his primary, but by betraying Trump’s immigration agenda, he’s made powerful enemies. Whether he can survive the backlash or not remains to be seen, but in the eyes of many Florida Republicans, one label is now permanently attached to his name—Trump traitor.