His White House bid failed to meet expectations that Mr DeSantis would emerge as a serious challenger to the former US president.
Mr DeSantis, who has now endorsed Mr Trump, said on X, formerly Twitter: “It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance.”
His political future is in question after just one voting contest while his term as Florida governor ends in 2027.
Mr DeSantis, 45, pulled out just before New Hampshire’s presidential primary contest – always the first to be held – tomorrow. Last week he lost the Iowa caucuses, which he had vowed to win, by 30 percentage points to Mr Trump.
The ambitious governor had entered the contest with early polls suggesting he was in a strong position.
He and his allies amassed a political fortune of well over £78million and he boasted a significant legislative record on issues important to many conservatives.
But his policies on abortion and the teaching of race and gender issues in schools did not survive the reality of presidential politics in 2024.
Former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is now Mr Trump’s main rival.
Facing technical glitches and staff upheavals, Mr DeSantis struggled to find his footing.
