The Presidential campaign for Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has had its ups and downs, but perhaps nobody could have seen this one coming: Trump influencers and meme makers on X (formerly Twitter) are spreading a hashtag known as "Bootgate," mocking Gov. DeSantis for supposedly wearing boots that make him taller.
Back in July, The Floridian's editor Javier Manjarres wrote that Gov. DeSantis should ditch his famous cowboy boots (or at least wear them less often) if it would mean getting more people to like him. No insinuation of the Florida Governor being short.
This did not stop Politico from running a piece recently where three well-known bootmakers (Nicholas Templeman, Graham Ebner, and Zephan Parker) gave an analysis of photos of DeSantis where his shoes are visible, saying various factors give the impression he is indeed using lifts or other means of increasing his height.
Further propelling the meme is the fact that DeSantis appeared on Patrick Bet-David's podcast, where the host offered him a pair of sneakers (presumably to put on during the show), only for the Presidential hopeful to refuse them on the grounds of "I cannot accept gifts."
Needless to say, it's become a new favorite point of mockery among Trump supporters, potentially even bigger than the "pudding fingers" debacle in April.
Admittedly, it's actually pretty funny.
One user named James Mills posted an alligator wearing women's heeled boots, calling it the "New DeSantis campaign picture."
New Desantis campaign picture. #BootGate 👢 pic.twitter.com/vH8v11Db2q
— James Mills (@JamesKMillsIII) October 31, 2023
Another user named MAGS superimposed DeSantis's face over an older meme of a little person ziplining, saying it was a "Leaked video of Ron DeSantis without his boots."
Leaked video of Ron DeSantis without his boots. #bootgate pic.twitter.com/XKrsSbu1TI
— MAGS (@TAftermath2020) October 31, 2023
A third named Sam Bullino posted a photoshopped picture of DeSantis dressed as a member of the rock band KISS as a Halloween costume:
#bootgate pic.twitter.com/BPwOtBoJIh
— Sam Bullino (@SammyTheBullino) October 31, 2023
While there are those on X who are seeking to defend DeSantis, this only amplifies the meme further:
#Bootgate pic.twitter.com/dxAFnTh4H9
— PoliticalChip21 (@PoliticalChip21) October 31, 2023
Combined with Trump's continued dominance in the polls at 46.5% higher than DeSantis and calls from the Florida Republican Assembly for him to suspend his Presidential campaign, can we say that this could very well be the moment when DeSantis gets the boot from the primary?
