All posts tagged "Desantis"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is accusing his own state Republican Party of selling out the state's voters to serve interests beyond Florida — a barely disguised swipe at President Donald Trump, whose endorsement has turned Rep. Byron Donalds into the runaway frontrunner in the 2026 governor's race.

DeSantis never said Trump's name. But the target was hard to miss in a blistering post on X, in which the governor tore into Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power over the party's refusal to hold a true debate among gubernatorial candidates at its upcoming "Sunshine State Showdown."

"The only reason why you wouldn't is if the party hierarchy is serving outside interests instead of the best interests of the voters," DeSantis wrote — language that landed squarely on Trump's grip over a party apparatus now lining up behind his chosen candidate....

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this week cut millions of dollars in arts and culture from the Sunshine State's budget over a beloved Tampa-based festival the governor believes is too "sexual," according to The Guardian.

Per the report, DeSantis refused to elaborate during a Thursday press conference on what he meant by "they're doing all this stuff" at the 10-day "Tampa fringe" festival that promotes inclusivity.

Margaret Ledford, who serves as artistic director for City Theatre Miami — a group for middle school students that "lost a $47,000 grant" due to DeSantis' move — said the more than $32 million in funding cuts is "going to be a combination of everything, from tightening our programming and salaries, and going to our patrons, once again, for donations."...

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, following a disastrous campaign and a weak second-place showing in Iowa, ended his presidential ambitions this month — a rapid fall for a figure once considered a rising GOP star and potential post-Trump savior. And the Miami Herald editorial board fears that Floridians will face the brunt of DeSantis' anger over his humiliation for the next three years.

DeSantis' change in tone was evident, the board wrote, from the second he announced he would veto a proposed GOP bill that would establish a state defense fund awarding up to $5 million to former President Donald Trump to pay his legal expenses.

"It may not have been for the right reason — revenge politics, rather than good governance — but DeSantis actually did the right thing by getting that ludicrous bill killed. Florida taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for an ex-president’s defense. Let Trump get that money from his donors or from his own fortune," wrote the board....

Trump world has come up with a new oppression theory: Ron DeSantis is helping Special Counsel Jack Smith in his prosecutions of the former president.

Donald Trump's campaign in July issued a statement on the purported "unholy alliance" between DeSantis and the Justice Department's work.

"Though, even more telling, a top DeSantis fundraiser confessed that their 'strategy' relied on endless political prosecutions of President Trump by radical leftist prosecutors," the campaign said at the time....

A self-proclaimed journalist who has been floated as a potential press secretary if Donald Trump secures a second term was accused Friday of doxxing fellow Republican Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who gave a speech for Trump's rival also seeking the GOP's nomination for president in 2024.

Laura Loomer, a Trump-defending conservative who earned a shout out from the ex-president at his recent rally in Florida, has herself run for office in the past. Recently, Donald Trump Jr. said he'd like to see his father choose Loomer as an interim press secretary.

Now, however, she's attacking Trump's enemies, including Ron DeSantis-supporting Riley Gaines, the swimmer who is known for her views against allowing trans women to compete in any womens' sports....

A bill that would give Gov. Ron DeSantis powers to prevent local municipalities from removing existing monuments and murals has been formally introduced in Florida.

The bill comes three years after a mayor in the state drew controversy when he ordered a bronze statue of a Confederate soldier banished from a park.

If passed, HB-395 could empower the Florida governor to cut elected officials from power. ...