Foreign governments targeting people in DeSantis' orbit since he launched his presidential campaign: report

Foreign governments have taken an interest in Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign — including Qatar, which recently finalized a deal with a major lobbyist in Florida to renew a lobbying contract. The lobbyist, Bill Rubin, is politically tight with DeSantis and is a major player in Florida GOP politics, Politico reported.

"For Qatar, Rubin’s firm helped facilitate meetings with government officials and provide PR assistance, first representing them in 2021," Politico's report stated. "The firm also subcontracts out work to a progressive Florida-based communications firm, Edge Communications. The decision to renew the contract with Rubin, Turnbull and Associates gave the Middle Eastern nation continued access to one of the Republican Party’s most powerful and ascendant officials."

DeSantis was an outspoke critic of Qatar while he was in Congress over its “support for Iran and for the Muslim Brotherhood.” Qatar's embassy announced that the renewal of its lobbying contract had nothing to do with DeSantis' run for president or “any other political considerations.”

“The Embassy works with advisors in many parts of the United States as part of its diplomatic outreach mission,” the spokesperson, Ali Al-Ansari, told Politico. “Qatar’s principal interests in Florida involve expansion of bilateral trade and investment. Rubin, Turnbull assists the Embassy in promoting those interests.”

Earlier this year, Japan's government inked a deal with a Florida lobbyist from within DeSantis' circle. Brian Ballard served as a co-chair of DeSantis’ inauguration earlier this year and his firm represents Liberia, Guatemala, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"Less than two weeks later, DeSantis and his wife Casey DeSantis visited Japan, where he met with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Japan’s Foreign Ministry released its own statements touting the visit," Politico's report stated.