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Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida
Architect of Florida's culture wars, book bans, and anti-democratic policies who weaponized state power against political opponents and marginalized communities
Overview
Ronald Dion DeSantis has served as the 46th Governor of Florida since 2019. He has used the governor's office to wage aggressive culture wars while consolidating power. DeSantis dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney's self-governing status) in retaliation for Disney opposing his "Don't Say Gay" bill, costing Florida taxpayers over $1 billion. He signed the "Stop WOKE Act" restricting workplace diversity training and classroom instruction on race, portions of which were struck down as unconstitutional. He oversaw the removal of over 1,600 books from Florida school libraries. He signed a 6-week abortion ban. He relocated migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard as a political stunt using Florida taxpayer funds of $12 million, despite the migrants never being in Florida. He suspended a twice-elected state attorney (Andrew Warren) for policy disagreements. He took over a small liberal arts college (New College of Florida) and installed political allies on its board to remake it as a conservative institution.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Disney retaliation: Dissolved Reedy Creek district after Disney opposed Don't Say Gay bill; cost taxpayers $1B+
Martha's Vineyard migrant flights: Used $12M Florida taxpayer funds to relocate Texas migrants as political stunt
Book bans: Oversaw removal of 1,600+ books from school libraries
Stop WOKE Act: Parts struck down as unconstitutional; restricted free speech on race in workplaces and schools
Suspended elected state attorney Andrew Warren for policy disagreements
New College takeover: Replaced board of liberal arts college with political operatives
6-week abortion ban signed with no exceptions for rape until 15 weeks
Related Investigations (2)
Known Associates & Connections
Christina Pushaw
Press secretary who had been registered as a foreign agent for a former Georgian president
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- September 14, 1978
- Birthplace
- Jacksonville, Florida
Education
- •Yale University (B.A.)
- •Harvard Law School (J.D.)
- •U.S. Navy JAG Corps
Key Timeline
2019-01-08
Inaugurated as Governor of Florida
2022-03
Signs "Don't Say Gay" bill; begins feud with Disney
2022-04
Dissolves Reedy Creek Improvement District in retaliation against Disney
2022-09
Flies migrants from San Antonio to Martha's Vineyard using Florida funds
2023-01
Takes over New College of Florida board
2023-04
Signs 6-week abortion ban
2023-05-24
Launches failed presidential campaign
2024-01-21
Drops out of presidential race