Florida’s Republican governor disputed claims from a presidential campaign opponent about how the Sunshine State responded to the coronavirus pandemic.
Former President Donald Trump told Megyn Kelly in an interview posted to her YouTube channel Thursday that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) spoke highly of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Trump also claimed DeSantis “shut down Florida” for more than one month that included closing beaches, roads and hospitals.
“I was not a big fan of Fauci,” Trump told Kelly, which he said contrasted with DeSantis.
“If you look at Ron DeSanctimonious, he was — this guy said the greatest things,” Trump added. “I can give you articles that ‘Fauci’s great, he’s wonderful, we love him. We don’t do anything without Fauci.'”
The 45th president added that DeSantis made his flattering remarks about Fauci for months.
Kelly pointed out that DeSantis did not always follow Fauci’s advice and the DeSantis shut down of his state only lasted about one month.
“Oh, he shut it down a lot longer,” responded Trump. “He shut down the beaches. He shut down the roads. He shut down a hospital. He also had long lines of people ‘getting the jab,’ as he called it.”
“The guy tried to change history in Florida.”
Florida’s governor disputed the former president’s remarks during an interview with Steve Deace
DeSantis addressed Trump’s claims in a Thursday interview with Blaze Podcast host Steve Deace.
“I think it’s important to say that that is different from what Donald Trump used to say,” DeSantis said, recalling Trump’s previous praise for Florida’s approach to the pandemic.
“Now, because I’m a threat to him, that’s why he’s now changing his tune,” he added. “But some of the things he’s saying are just bold faced lies.”
DeSantis emphasized that Florida never mandated mRNA COVID vaccines and that he had convened a special session of the Florida legislature to prevent any such mandates.
He also countered Trump’s assertion that he was fond of Fauci. Contrary to this claim, DeSantis mentioned that he had even sold campaign merchandise critical of Fauci with the slogan “Don’t Fauci My Florida.”
“I fought against Fauci when he was popular,” declared DeSantis. “It’s easy for Republicans to ding him now because he’s unpopular with the broader electorate.”
In the same conversation, DeSantis addressed Trump’s comments about awarding Fauci a Presidential Commendation, humorously asking, “Was that the immaculate commendation that just happened to happen?”
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