Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) continues to push back against mainstream media outlets giving him what his team has described as "baseless" COVID-19 coverage, most recently firing back at a "cheap" story by the AP accusing him of corruption.
The governor's executive office has fought a war on multiple fronts against mainstream media and even the White House, insisting that the national messaging on COVID-19 in Florida is either based on half-truths or outright false. DeSantis' Press Secretary Christina Pushaw has been the governor's outspoken voice against COVID misinformation, even calling out Press Secretary Jen Psaki directly for spreading "baseless" claims about Florida.
Yesterday, Pushaw called out a story published by the Associated Press on Twitter, calling Reporter Brendan Farrington's article "cheap" and a simple "political innuendo."
Hey @bsfarrington. Sad to see this cheap political innuendo from AP. Should be “DeSantis & Biden Agree Monoclonals Save Lives.”
You KNEW this isn’t a story. You KNOW you can’t defend it. You said your “boss’s boss” wouldn’t change the headline—& you refused to tell me his name. pic.twitter.com/5dA5jP1Ys1
— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) August 18, 2021
The article titled "DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes" pushes the idea that DeSantis' endorsement of the COVID drug Regeneron is because Citadel, a Chicago-based hedge fund, that has $15.9 million in shares of Regeneron Pharmaceutical. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin has donated $10.75 million to a political committee that supports DeSantis — $5.75 million in 2018 and $5 million last April."
This drug, which is also endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) was used to treat former President Trump (R) when he came down with COVID-19 in October of 2020. Ever since then, the drug has slightly piqued the interest of the public and is bashed by the political class.
“Vaccines prevent serious illness from COVID-19. But if someone who is unvaccinated gets COVID, or a vaccinated person gets a breakthrough infection, those in risk categories with comorbidities should consider getting early treatment with Regeneron. It is safe, effective, and free of charge to all patients in Florida. This should not be a political issue -– it’s about saving lives,” Pushaw previously stated.
While Gov. DeSantis may not be as pro-mask as DC bureaucrats would like him to be, it is important to note that unlike Paski's messaging, he is allowing COVID-19 matters to reside with the individual, not the state. People in Florida may mask up or mask down as they please, and get vaccinated by other companies' vaccines as they please.
