Hurd Calls Ron DeSantis ‘Mean and Hateful’

With the first 2024 Republican presidential primary debate set for August 23, criticism continues to mount against the frontrunners. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), coming in second place in polling, has now embroiled himself in controversy over Florida's new education curriculum. Texas Rep. Will Hurd (R) is directing criticism to Governor DeSantis, calling him “mean and hateful.”

The curriculum in question argues that slaves developed skills from slavery that were beneficial, and this has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Not only did Vice President Kamala Harris (D) venture to Florida to speak against the curriculum, but DeSantis has also received criticism from Republicans. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) spoke against the notion that slaves developed beneficial skills while supporting other aspects of the curriculum, and this quickly sparked a rivalry between DeSantis and Donalds.

Now, Rep. Hurd, a longshot presidential hopeful, is speaking against DeSantis and the curriculum, saying he's not surprise that DeSantis would continue being “mean and hateful.”

In speaking to Meet the Press,

“This is one more part of a back pattern of Ron DeSantis being mean and hateful,” Hurd said, adding, “I was the first Republican to come out and say that slavery is not a jobs program and anybody that is implying that there was an upside to slavery is insane.”

Hurd also mentioned that he’s happy to see South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R) chide DeSantis over the curriculum. However, Hurd mentioned that Senator Scott was following his lead.

Hurd went on to express disappointment in seeing numerous government officials coming out in support of the curriculum like the Department of Education.

“Real leadership would have stepped up and said, ‘Hey, there is no upside to slavery. Slavery was not a jobs program. Nobody should imply that’s what we did and we’re going to change the language.’”