Florida is “among the worst” states to raise a family, work and retire Former President Donald Trump’s campaign claims in a blistering rebuttal to the story Gov. Ron DeSantis tells about the state thriving under his leadership.
“The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a campaign email Friday. “He has left a wake of destruction all across Florida and people are hurting because he has spent more time playing public relations games instead of actually doing the hard-work needed to improve the lives of the people he represents.”
Trump’s campaign argues Florida is faring poorly on a range of issues, citing various sources such as Oxfam, Money Inc., U.S. News & World Report and the Florida Policy Institute.
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The state’s affordability crisis is highlighted in the campaign email, along with low teacher pay, a lack of elder abuse protections and low economic opportunity.
“Under Ron DeSantis, Florida has become among the worst states… to live… find economic opportunity… work… retire… raise a family… pay taxes…be safe… rent a home… have a baby… afford energy… die… be a teacher… be a doctor… be a police officer,” Trump’s campaign email states.
That message not only goes against what DeSantis has been saying about Florida as a model for the nation, but much of what Republican leaders have said over their 25-year period of political dominance in state politics.
It also echoes much of what Democrats have said in criticizing DeSantis’ policies, and those of GOP lawmakers.
And it goes against what Trump himself has said.
In February 2020, Trump praised DeSantis as a “great governor” and “great warrior,” while also taking credit for his primary election win.
“He’s a very popular governor,” Trump said at the time. “His (polling) numbers are in the 70s, and he’s done a great job.”
Democrats have accused DeSantis of ignoring the state’s growing affordability problem and other important issues in favor of culture war concerns.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has been sharpening his attacks on DeSantis and taking other steps to try and weaken the GOP figure viewed as his strongest opponent in a presidential primary.
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This week the former president rolled out a series of endorsements from Florida’s congressional delegation and invited the lawmakers to dinner at his Mar-a-Lago Club.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Donald Trump says Ron DeSantis created ‘misery and despair’ in Florida
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