In a recent debate that turned fiery between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom, DeSantis unleashed scathing criticism on Newsom’s policies, attributing them to the mass exodus currently plaguing California.
During the debate, hosted by Fox News’ Sean Hannity, DeSantis pointed out the unprecedented population decline under Newsom’s governance, highlighting that California, despite its natural advantages, has witnessed a significant number of residents leaving the state.
DeSantis specifically blamed Newsom’s handling of COVID-19, characterizing his measures as draconian, which included keeping children out of school while his own kids attended private school. “He’s very good at spinning these tales. He’ll tell a blizzard of lies to try to mask the failures. But the reality is they have failed because of his leftist ideology,” DeSantis emphasized.
The Florida Governor also noted the practical impact of Newsom’s policies, stating, “They actually, at one point, ran out of U-Hauls in the state of California because so many people were leaving.”
DeSantis asserted that the exodus from California reflects a rejection of the leftist ideology that Newsom represents and warned against adopting such policies at a national level. “In Florida, we show that conservative principles work. This country must choose freedom over failure,” DeSantis declared.
In response, Newsom deflected from addressing the reasons behind the state’s population decline, instead choosing to attack DeSantis. The California Governor repeatedly avoided answering questions, prompting DeSantis and Hannity to highlight the evasion.
Newsom also targeted DeSantis’ potential Republican presidential campaign, expressing skepticism about his chances of becoming the Republican Party’s nominee. Amid the heated exchange, DeSantis pointed out that even members of Newsom’s own family had left California to relocate to Florida, underscoring the tangible impact of the issues discussed during the debate.
As the debate took unexpected turns, both governors stood their ground, offering distinct perspectives on governance and policy, leaving viewers with much to ponder on the contrasting approaches to state leadership.