Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been making headlines for his controversial actions and policies, from his targeting of businesses such as Disney to his efforts to restrict voting rights in the state. With his eye on the 2024 presidential race, DeSantis has faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his support of restrictive abortion laws, and his attacks on companies like Disney who have spoken out against his policies.
One of the most notable conflicts DeSantis has engaged in is with Disney, which began after the company criticized Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law, which restricts public schools from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.[0] DeSantis retaliated by removing the company’s special district in the state and handpicking board members to govern the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.[0] However, Disney outmaneuvered DeSantis by enacting an agreement with the earlier board that gave the company broad authority over developments in the district.[0] DeSantis responded by creating a law dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through high school, sparking a legal battle between the company and the governor.[1]
DeSantis has also faced criticism for his efforts to restrict voting rights in Florida, including the creation of an election police unit that arrested 20 citizens for mistakenly voting despite having prior convictions that made them ineligible.[2] Many of those arrested were Black men with past felony convictions who had been told by the state they were eligible to vote.[2] Judges have already thrown out several of these cases.[3]
In addition to these controversies, DeSantis has faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including his efforts to block local governments from implementing mask mandates and restrictions on businesses. He has also been a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates and has pushed for the use of unproven treatments such as hydroxychloroquine.[4]
Despite these controversies, DeSantis has announced his intention to run for president in 2024.[5] However, his campaign launch on Twitter was beset by technical glitches, and he has struggled to gain a foothold with Republican voters, with former President Donald Trump remaining the overwhelming front-runner in the primary race.[6]
As DeSantis continues to push his controversial policies and pursue his presidential ambitions, he is likely to face continued criticism and opposition from those who disagree with his actions and policies.
0. “Trump Slams Disney For Going ‘Woke’ As He Blames DeSantis For Failing To Stop It” Forbes, 29 May. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/05/29/trump-slams-disney-for-going-woke-as-he-blames-desantis-for-failing-to-stop-it
1. “Ron DeSantis: A quick guide to the Florida governor” BBC, 26 May. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65709502
2. “Ron DeSantis Faces Three New Lawsuits After Signing New Voter Suppression Bill” Mother Jones, 27 May. 2023, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/05/ron-desantis-faces-three-new-lawsuits-after-signing-new-voter-suppression-bill
3. “Opinion: Why DeSantis is just as dangerous as Trump – or more” CNN, 25 May. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/25/opinions/desantis-announcement-trump-2024-gop-nomination-warren-eisen/index.html
4. “DeSantis’s limp start to 2024 race delights Trump but battle is not over” The Guardian US, 27 May. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/27/desantis-trump-2024-campaigns
5. “Move Over, Mars. Elon Musk Turns His Attention to 2024 White House Race.” The Wall Street Journal, 27 May. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/move-over-mars-elon-musk-turns-his-attention-to-2024-white-house-race-39f873e9
6. “Opinion | Trump Must Be Pleased With the Way the Republican Race Is Shaping Up” The New York Times, 27 May. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/27/opinion/republican-trump-desantis-2024.html
