Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) directed comments at Australia in late September, angering some lawmakers in the process. Over the weekend, the Governor doubled down on his comments, directing comments at Canada as well. While attending the Latin Builders Association’s 40th Annual Award Ceremony, the Governor told attendees that Australia and Canada are looking to him for leadership because he’s “not just inspiring people from around the country, but around the world” as well.
In late September, Governor DeSantis commented that Australia is “not a free country.” The Governor also called into question the relationship that the United States has with the country, questioning “why we would still have the same diplomatic relations when” they are implementing the COVID-19 restrictions that the country has implemented.
Over the weekend, the Governor directed more verbal jabs at Australia, telling the crowd, “I have people writing to me from Australia and Canada and some of these places, saying that they’re looking to Florida for leadership, and they appreciate that we’re actually standing and defending people’s rights and liberties.”
The Governor shared the initial remarks while speaking at the International Boat Builders’ Exhibition and Conference event in Tampa.
“I really believe that if we had not done what we did during the last year and a half to keep the state open, to protect people’s jobs, to protect our small businesses, to protect our kids being able to go to school – if we had not done that, a lot of these other states wouldn’t have followed,” he expressed to attendees.
“And who knows where we would be right now?” he further questioned.
Since the beginning of the year, the Governor has remained firm in his views regarding COVID-19. He is against vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and mask mandates. This has drawn immediate responses from Florida Democrats, but the Governor has maintained a firm stance.
