While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has become famous in conservative circles and infamous in liberal circles for his frequent dunks on mainstream media reporters, he’s also shown a more humorous side in his interactions with the press that don’t get as much attention.
We’ve documented some of them here. For example, there was that time after the Super Bowl when DeSantis actually approached veteran Florida journalist Marc Caputo to explain why he was spotted not wearing a mask while sitting in a private suite during the big game. Likely knowing his critics were already preparing to fire off condemnations and predictable “grandma killer” accusations, here’s what DeSantis told Caputo:
Caught DeSantis before he left an event and he brought up this picture on his own by saying, “Someone said, ‘hey, you were at the Super Bowl without a mask’ … but how the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with a mask on? Come on. I had to watch the Bucs win.” https://t.co/OEDAeW2eGM
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) February 8, 2021
Another one took place earlier today during a press conference at Palm Harbor University High School, after DeSantis called on the state legislature to approve $1,000 bonuses for public school educators including principals and teachers.
During the presser, Gov. DeSantis was asked by a reporter about when and if he’d be getting the coronavirus vaccine. After noting he was now eligible for the vaccine under Florida guidelines, DeSantis joked about whether it would be appropriate to have cameras present to film his bare-armed “gun show” when he received the vaccine, according to AP:
DeSantis, 42, will join about 6 million people in Florida who have already received at least the first dose of a vaccine. The state has a population of 21.5 million people. He didn’t give details about when or where he’ll get his shot.
“I’m not sure we’re going to do it on camera, we’ll see. If you guys want a gun show, maybe we can do it, but probably better off not,” DeSantis said at a news conference. “We will let you know when I get the jab.”
Watch:
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) plans to get the vaccine this week: “I’m not sure we’re gonna do it on camera. I mean, if you guys want a gun show…” pic.twitter.com/vjivWdfJvs
— The Recount (@therecount) March 31, 2021
Here’s a different clip where the question can be heard (if you turn your sound up a little louder):
GUN SHOW: Gov. DeSantis jokes he will get the COVID-19 vaccine in private this week, not on camera, unless “if you guys want a gun show.” https://t.co/dtD9anUTdn pic.twitter.com/eSK7q8M67i
— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) March 31, 2021
Not surprisingly, perpetually unhappy MSNBC host Joy Reid was unamused by DeSantis’s humorous quip and whined about it on the Twitter machine:
What is wrong with this man? https://t.co/lbaMV7nTRl
— Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) March 31, 2021
Aww. Bless her heart.
Not that it’s relevant in any way to his capabilities as the leader of one of the most populous states in the country (for instance, DeSantis came out strong against the Democrat-driven idea of vaccine passports last week), but I had remarked a week ago on how it appeared DeSantis had been working out and slimmed down some since the start of the pandemic.
Before anyone laughs at my suggestion – or his from the presser – they should take note of what Nick Primrose, a former deputy general counsel to both DeSantis and former Florida Governor-turned-Senator Rick Scott, had to say about DeSantis’s physical capabilities:
Don’t doubt @GovRonDeSantis “gun show” comment. He did the #22Kill push-up challenge to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention in a blazer, collared shirt, and boots in the May heat/humidity. Knocked out all 22 push-ups quickly. https://t.co/xohINkXMPQ pic.twitter.com/xFZMWRMeLu
— Nick Primrose (@NickPrimrose) March 31, 2021
I’ll leave it to readers to debate this burning issue while I go on a hunt for that video… 😉
Join the conversation as a VIP Member