Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called out the media for spreading “false narratives” and noted that his administration refuses to debate the merit of issues, such as the state’s Parental Rights in Education law, on the liberal media’s terms.
During a press conference in Jacksonville, where the Republican governor announced a $5.5 million grant to the city for the construction of a railroad spur to a critical industrial park, a reporter asked DeSantis about divisive rhetoric.
The journalist cited the Parental Rights in Education law, which prohibits classroom teachers and school districts from implementing lesson plans based on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3. The reporter referred to it as the “Don’t Say Gay” measure.
DeSantis answered that the reporter himself was contributing to the ramped-up rhetoric by “propagating false narratives.”
“‘Don’t Say Gay’ is a false narrative,” said DeSantis. “That was a false narrative, and the difference, I think, in Florida is we fight back against that.”
“We don’t let the media tow us into accepting that. We don’t play that game. We fight back against it.”
DeSantis maintained that his administration told people, especially parents, the “truth” about the purpose of the bill, even as the national media sought to cudgel the governor and Republicans generally with their “Don’t Say Gay” line.
“They were trying to smear the Legislature,” he added. “But you know what? The people here saw the facts and they responded and they supported us.”
DeSantis cited his 1.5-million vote victory margin as proof that many Floridians across the spectrum have bought into his positions and achievements on a broad array of issues.
That, he noted, actually brings people together. “I’m concerned about people in the media trying to manufacture division all the time,” said DeSantis. “I’m concerned when people in the media take some jabroni that nobody cares about and will elevate them and try to make them some type of celebrity. That is wrong.”
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Sports, and National Headlines.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.