Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern had some words for NBC News this morning after a story was published claiming DeSantis "bragged" about sending aide to Iowa after a building collapsed when the mission had been "canceled".
Florida Gov. DeSantis tweeted that he was sending Florida personnel to assist Iowa with a disastrous building collapse in Davenport.
Yet what DeSantis didn't say was that more than 10 hours earlier, the mission had been canceled. https://t.co/2iGaYLVzxk
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 7, 2023
"This is a lie by omission from @Mdixon55," tweeted Redfern.
"He knew it was a lie and he published the lie. Iowa modified the mission. Just because a mission was modified does not mean the entire mission was cancelled. Iowa asked for assistance, and Florida responded."
Redfern included images of Florida DOT personnel on the ground in Davenport after a building tragically collapsed leaving three dead.
This is a lie by omission from @Mdixon55.
He knew it was a lie, and he published the lie.
Iowa modified the mission. Just because a mission was modified does not mean the entire mission was cancelled.
Iowa asked for assistance, and Florida responded.
June 5th email + photos: https://t.co/mR0s56OZFJ pic.twitter.com/nHwBurVNzo
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 7, 2023
On June 5, DeSantis tweeted, "At the request of Iowa, I've directed @FLSERT and @myFDOT to deploy personnel to assist in the ongoing recovery in Davenport following the recent building collapse."
At the request of Iowa, I've directed @FLSERT and @myFDOT to deploy personnel to assist in the ongoing recovery in Davenport following the recent building collapse.
We are proud to help the people of Iowa. pic.twitter.com/nlq3mn7VpE
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 6, 2023
The NBC News article cites an email they say they obtained through a public records request shows the mission was cancelled at the time DeSantis sent the tweet. Redfern says the mission was modified, not cancelled.
"This is why it's a lie by omission, Matt. You're leaving out the rest of the story. Cancelling part of the mission isn't the same as cancelling all of the mission. EMAC requests are modified all the time. You're a liar, and you've always been a liar," Tweeted Redfern to Dixon.
Redfern tweeted an email from Chasity Brown, Statewide Mutual Aide Coordinator for the State Emergency Response Team on June 5 at 9:36am. The email states "I have corresponded with our EM counter parts in Iowa this morning and they are requesting the following EMAC request modifications: They will accept an FDOT and USAR personnel that are currently in Iowa or in the air en route for operational periods through mid to late week. Dixon sent a tweet attempting to clarify which was met by swift rebuke from Redfern who called Dixon a liar.
This is why it’s a lie by omission, Matt.
You’re leaving out the rest of the story.
Cancelling part of the mission isn’t the same as cancelling all of the mission. EMAC requests are modified all of the time.
You’re a liar, and you’ve always been a liar. pic.twitter.com/BdS94VpOvh
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 7, 2023
Former President Donald Trump's Twitter supporters jumped on the NBC story to attack DeSantis, who is challenging Trump for the GOP nomination for President. Alex Bruesewitz, CEO of X Strategies which took $35,000 from Trump's Save America PAC, tweeted "Wow. Rod DeSantis bragged about sending help to Iowa — 10 hours after being told it wasn't needed Rod is using state resources to help his Presidential campaign. So blatantly corrupt!"
🚨 Wow. Rod DeSantis bragged about sending help to Iowa — 10 hours after being told it wasn't needed
Rod is using state resources to help his Presidential campaign. So blatantly corrupt!https://t.co/IPMGJHDC7T
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) July 7, 2023
"You are pushing NBC lies now?" replied Redfern.
You’re pushing NBC lies, now? https://t.co/bKw24V75AG
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) July 7, 2023
Kyle Lamb, head of Research and Data for Team DeSantis, reminded Bruesewitz of a tweet he sent in reply to an NBC News story claiming Trump was raising money off of Hershel Walker's name and keeping 90% of the donations.
"Lol! NBC News isn't exactly a trusted news source," tweeted Bruesewitz on November 16, 2022.
Lol NBC news isn’t exactly a trusted news source!
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) November 17, 2022
Brusewitz has changed his tune on NBC News as he has changed his tune on Governor Ron DeSantis of whom he tweeted on December 20, 2021: "No Governor handled the Chinese Virus better than my governor, @RonDeSantisFL. Blessed to be a resident of the FREE state of Florida."
