Rep. Byron Donalds Faces Backlash After Wife’s Valentine’s Post

U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL), a top contender for the 2026 Florida gubernatorial race, finds himself at the center of a social media firestorm following a Valentine’s Day tribute from his wife that inadvertently highlighted a messy chapter of his past. The controversy comes as Donalds maintains a narrow lead in GOP primary polls, fueled by an early endorsement from President Trump.

The viral fallout has reinvigorated old allegations regarding Donalds’ first marriage and personal conduct, presenting a potential hurdle for the congressman who has centered his campaign on “traditional family values.”

The Valentine’s Post That Backfired

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Erika Donalds shared a romantic “throwback” post on X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the couple’s 27th Valentine’s Day together.

• The Dates: Erika wrote that Byron first asked for her number in the fall of 1999, with their first date following on February 14, 2000.
• The Conflict: Internet sleuths and political pundits, including Mehdi Hasan, quickly pointed out that Byron Donalds was legally married to his first wife, Bisa Hall, from June 1999 until late 2002.
• The Implication: Critics allege the timeline confirms that Donalds began pursuing his current wife while still a newlywed in his first marriage, which Hall has previously characterized as a “marriage of convenience” that Donalds refused to end until Erika became pregnant.

Resurfaced “Jamaican” Allegations

The timeline controversy reignited interest in a 2024 investigative report by the Florida Trident, in which Bisa Hall detailed what she called Donalds’ “fraudulent” behavior during their college years at Florida A&M and Florida State.

• The Fake Accent: Hall claimed that when they first met, Donalds—a Brooklyn native—faked a Jamaican accent to “stand out” among other New York students. “The next time I saw him, the Jamaican accent was gone,” Hall told reporters, noting he admitted to the ruse once they began dating.
• Financial Disputes: Hall also alleged that she was forced to pay for their divorce herself, claiming Donalds reneged on a promise to reimburse her for the legal fees once his career took off.

Gubernatorial Stakes and Primary Rivals

While Donalds has ignored the social media chatter, focusing instead on his “Florida First” agenda, his Republican primary opponents are reportedly watching the situation closely.

Donalds currently leads a crowded field to succeed the term-limited Ron DeSantis, but he faces stiff competition from:

• Paul Renner: Former Florida House Speaker who has criticized Donalds for being “for sale” to the AI industry.
• Jay Collins: Florida’s Lieutenant Governor, who enjoys support from the DeSantis wing of the party.
• James Fishback: A businessman who has used racially charged rhetoric to attack Donalds’ heritage, recently calling him a “slave to corporate interests.”

2026 Florida GOP Gubernatorial Primary Polling (Feb 2026)

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