President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his full support behind Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) to serve as the Sunshine State’s next governor, even though he isn’t officially running and didn’t publicly request the endorsement.

That’s how much confidence the president has in Donalds, a vociferous defender of his agenda who took time out of his own reelection to stump for President Trump during the Republican primary and later in black communities across America. While Donalds is supposedly mulling whether to launch a bid for Florida’s corner office, Trump on Truth Social laid out his qualifications and reasons why he should jump into the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” Trump wrote. “I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER! Byron has a great wife, Erika, and three beautiful sons. They are very proud of him!”

At the height of America’s immigration crisis, Rep. Donalds was a frequent guest on cable news shows where he espoused the Trump campaign’s talking points on mass deportations and the proliferation of dangerous illegal immigrant criminals in the U.S. Trump, well-known to be a voracious consumer of cable news, sounded an appreciative note for Donalds’ kind words over the past year and a half.

“As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. 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,” Trump exclaimed. “Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

Byron has confided to allies and loyal donors that he intends to run. During a meeting of the state Republican Party in Orlando last week, the South Florida congressman sponsored a suite at the venue where he began to share the news, according to those present. The signs have grown since then. Donalds’s schedule has been filled with meetings with key Florida lobbyists and donors this week as he looks to shore up support and protect his flank in what’s expected to be a crowded GOP field.

“He was in town [Tallahassee] meeting with all the folks you need to meet with. He told them he is in,” a source who met with Donalds told NBC News. “It’s the steps any candidate takes as they prepare to run for governor.”

Florida’s crowded bench of Republican contenders may be feeling the heat to stay out of the race given Donalds’ outsize presence. Former congressman Matt Gaetz has inked a lucrative anchor deal with One America News. Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, recently announced he will be running to replace Gaetz in Florida’s 1st congressional district. Pam Bondi, the state’s former attorney general, is now leading the nation’s law enforcement as U.S. attorney general.

However, Gaetz, ever a MAGA favorite, hasn’t closed the door on a run.

“Florida needs a Governor who can break the control insurance companies have over Tallahassee. I can do that, so it’s something Ginger and I are considering,” Gaetz said when asked by NBC if he’s considering a run for governor next year.