Crist Compares DeSantis to Castro and Maduro, but not Hitler

Rep. Charlie Crist (D), who is running for governor in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary election, recently compared Gov. Ron DeSantis to Communist Leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro but refrains from calling DeSantis Adolf Hitler.

Rep. Crist made the remarks on a campaign Zoom call with the Okaloosa County Democratic Partywhere a constituent posed the questions to the former governor of Florida.

When asked, “What is your opinion about DeSantis wanting to establish his own state guard from the Florida National Guard...?

“It certainly smacks of authoritarianism. That’s a little out there, let’s be honest,” said Crist. It kind of reminds you of Castro, or Maduro, or the kind of leaders that are authoritarian and what Republicans rail against, and now he’s starting to mimic it. Its bizarre.”

Crist’s Democratic opponent, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried recently made headlines when she unapologetically compared Gov. DeSantis to the dead Nazi leader.

During an interview with WLRN’s Florida Round-Up," Commissioner Fried, said," I'm a student of history too, I saw the rise of Hitler. I've learned of those stories. I have studied Hitler and how he got t0 power you know, wanting his own militia and having his own militia."

Commissioner Fried later reasserted her Hitler remark.

The Floridian could not reach Rep. Crist for comment.