KISSIMMEE, Fla. - In a Republican Party gathering held on Saturday, Governor Ron DeSantis faced a homecoming overshadowed by overwhelming support for former President Donald Trump. The event, titled the "Freedom Summit," took place at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center and saw many attendees donning Trump-themed apparel.

Notably, Trump held the most prominent speaking spot at the summit, further highlighting his influence within the GOP. Additionally, seven Florida state lawmakers, including five who had previously endorsed DeSantis, are expected to endorse Trump during the event, according to an anonymous source familiar with their plans.

These endorsements represent a significant shift among some Florida Republicans from DeSantis to Trump and reflect DeSantis's changing political fortunes at home. While DeSantis was once seen as a potential challenger to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, his campaign has struggled this year, falling behind Trump in early state and national polling.

Although home-state endorsements typically have little impact on early nominating contests, Saturday's developments were seen as another blow to DeSantis's campaign. Trump, who spends his winter months at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, has been actively cultivating relationships with local Republicans as he pursues the presidency.

When asked about the defections, DeSantis dismissed them as typical politics, pointing out that he still outperforms Trump in state legislative endorsements in Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as in Florida. He emphasized that endorsements alone do not sway most voters.

The "Freedom Summit" occurred just days before the upcoming Republican presidential debate scheduled for Wednesday in Miami. Trump, who has chosen not to participate in previous debates, is once again not expected to join this event.

During his speech, DeSantis avoided mentioning Trump by name but expressed that the party cannot accept continued losses. He received applause from the audience, which reacted more enthusiastically to his remarks compared to other candidates.

Among the defectors, state Representative Randy Fine was the first to announce his switch from DeSantis to Trump, citing dissatisfaction with DeSantis's handling of antisemitism in the state. Fine revealed that he has received calls from other lawmakers considering following his lead in supporting Trump.

The defections to Trump make political sense, considering his significant lead in the GOP race. However, endorsements are unlikely to change the minds of most voters, according to Brad Coker, president of Mason-Dixon Opinion Research, a Florida-based polling firm.

Notably, all major Republican presidential candidates, except former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, are expected to speak at the "Freedom Summit" and file to run in the Florida primary. Trump's dominant lead has placed his rivals in a difficult position, having to either support his positions to appeal to his voters or differentiate themselves by criticizing him.

DeSantis and his allies have been attempting to convince voters that Trump is not the same candidate he once was, highlighting concerns about his legal troubles. The former president is currently facing four criminal indictments encompassing 91 felony charges.

Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson received boos when he suggested during his speech that there was a significant chance Trump would be found guilty and labeled his behavior as "destructive." Similarly, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie faced repeated shouts of "Trump!" and boos when he stated that the former president was unfit for reelection.

On the other hand, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) took a different approach, praising both Trump and DeSantis during his speech, while also highlighting his differences to a more subdued response.

Lastly, Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) received thunderous applause when he mentioned his recent endorsement of Trump, stating that he believes Trump is the one person who can truly restore strength to the country.

Throughout the summit, Trump's image was ever-present, starting with a video filled with falsehoods claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Vendors in the hallway sold primarily Trump-themed merchandise, including stickers featuring his mug shot labeled as a "LEGEND" and Republican elephant pins adorned with Trump's iconic comb-over hairstyle.

While some attendees expressed their appreciation for Governor DeSantis, there was a prevailing sentiment that anyone challenging Trump in the primary should be ashamed of themselves.

The shifting dynamics between DeSantis and Trump highlight the influential role that the former president still holds within the Republican Party, as well as the challenges faced by those seeking to establish themselves as viable alternatives.