Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been at odds over their respective responses to the coronavirus pandemic, with the former president bashing DeSantis for his handling of the pandemic and Governor Anthony Fauci. He blames Trump for his relationship with Dr. and his stance on vaccines.

President Trump stepped up his attacks on governors following DeSantis’ election announcement in late May, claiming that former Democratic New York governor Andrew Cuomo handled the coronavirus better. . DeSantis’ campaign hit back, leaning on the governor’s COVID-19 record, and on Monday an AI-generated image of him hugging Fauci after President Trump lashed out at the governor over lockdowns. announced an advertisement using

But as the pandemic continues, Trump and DeSantis have each evolved their responses to COVID-19, and their respective records reveal a mixed picture.

“Keep lying”

“Under Governor Ron DeSanctimonias, Florida became the third-worst state for coronavirus deaths. And he closed the state and (unlike other Republican governors) even closed its beaches,” Trump said. I have written Truth Social on May 30th.

In 2020, New York had the highest number of COVID-19 deaths, with Florida in fourth place, but Sunshine State’s death rate was significantly lower, at 56.4 vs. 139.1, respectively. according to to the CDC. Although Florida will surpass New York in 2021, New York has had more deaths total in the first two years of the pandemic.

DeSantis’ response to COVID-19, widely viewed as far less restrictive than other governors at the time, helped lift Florida’s executive branch onto the national stage. But the Trump campaign has tried to portray Mr. DeSantis as a proponent of hard restrictions. discussing He claimed to have imposed a “radical” lockdown.

“President Trump saved millions of lives, opposed mandates, and embraced a federalist system that allows states to make the best decisions for their people. Ron DeSantis personally oversees mass vaccination. and continues to lie about his background because of the drastic lockdown imposed,” the Trump campaign said in a press release shared with the DCNF in response to a request for comment.

Although Mr. DeSantis would later lash out at lockdowns, school closures, and in particular mandatory wearing of masks in classrooms, the governor initiated COVID-19 restrictions early in the pandemic.

DeSantis said he would close some non-essential businesses such as bars and nightclubs, encourage restaurants to remain open while limiting occupancy, and limit access to beaches for large groups as Trump said. Quoting the administration’s guidance, it started the new coronavirus infection control in early March. guidance For counties with higher population density Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Broward, etc. were still tougher.

The governor recently claimed that “tens of thousands” of people had been “evacuated” from Cuomo to Florida during the pandemic, resisting restrictions recommended by the Trump administration. according to A radio interview from the June 1 election campaign was forwarded to the DCNF in response to a request for comment.

“Oh my God, his whole family moved to Florida during my time as governor. Are you kidding me?” DeSantis Said.

The governor then deviated from the Trump administration’s guidance in pushing for Florida to reopen, putting him at odds with Fauci.

The governor also criticized President Trump, saying: interview Along with Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro, he claimed that Trump had “enhanced” Fauci. (Related: Trump Defends Fauci: DeSantis Praises Him

“It was a difficult situation. We didn’t have all the facts,” DeSantis said. “But we all have to sit here today in 2023 and look back at March 2020 and say, ‘Faucism was wrong.’ Faucism was destructive.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci

After the first COVID-19 cases occurred, discovered On Jan. 20 in Washington state, the Trump administration immediately Been formed The Coronavirus Task Force, of which Fauci is a member.After weeks of press conferences on COVID-19, President Trump praised Fauci thanked him for “becoming a major TV star for good reason” and for being “so professional, so good.”

But the two began clashing over the guidelines, and President Trump promotion One tweet calling doctors and the CDC “lying” and the other criticizing Fauci.playing cards slanted Up Attacks on Fauci increase as presidential election approaches frequent Although he criticized his stance on Musk, he said that despite their differences, the two are “getting along very well” and that he “personally” likes it.

Additionally, President Trump disagreed with Fauci on reopening businesses, tweeting that the country should “reopen” in May 2020.

Early in the pandemic, DeSantis also frequently discussed We endorsed the recommendations of Mr. Fauci and other members of the Trump administration’s task force and thanked them for their support. On March 3, 2020, he share Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) article Written by Fauci and other doctors, he said it was a “helpful” source of information.

“There are a lot of people out there who work very hard but don’t get much sleep,” says DeSantis. Said “They’re really looking at a big country like ours. And from Dr. Burks to Dr. Fauci to the Vice President and Surgeon General who have worked so hard, they’re doing a really good job. It’s a tough, tough situation, but they’re working hard.”

DeSantis, of course, quickly became a critic of Fauci, breaking up with Fauci over state reopening in late spring and early summer 2020, but in early 2021, he began to lash out regularly over Fauci’s leadership. began to criticize Mr.

“15 days to slow the spread of infection”

playing cards Declared A national emergency was declared on March 13, freeing state and local governments more than $42 billion in resources.A few days later, the administration announced The now infamous “15 days to slow the spread” guidance encouraged people to stay home, but ultimately Extended Until April 30th.

March 9, DeSantis signed An order was issued to declare a public health emergency in Florida, and the following week, following instructions from the Trump administration, closed Bars and nightclubs were banned, beach gatherings were restricted, and restaurants were limited to 50% capacity, but encouraged to remain open.

By mid-March, the governor will Recommended The university will be remote classes for the rest of the semester, signed Orders included closing gyms, closing restaurants for in-person dining, and requiring liquor to be sold in sealed containers.

DeSantis Asked The President declares Florida a federal major disaster area. Prompted Elderly people with pre-existing illnesses should stay home for two weeks need If you enter the state from an area with “significant community transmission,” you will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

DeSantis issued A curfew was issued on April 1, restricting activities to essential services for 30 days. On April 18th he announced All schools from kindergarten through high school will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

In early May, DeSantis began reopening the state. make Florida was one of the first countries to lift COVID-19 restrictions.DeSantis approved Restaurants, retail stores, libraries and museums will open at 25% capacity. June 3rd, DeSantis announced Bars and restaurants can operate at 50% capacity; and announced It plans to reopen schools from kindergarten to high school at “full capacity” by August.

DeSantis signed The Sept. 25 order allowed restaurants and bars to reopen at full capacity, asserted his authority over the region and barred them from imposing further COVID-19 restrictions. Extended in November. Florida’s state of emergency expired on June 27, 2021 after being extended several times.

mask and vaccine

President Trump was rarely seen wearing a mask, but his task force acted tenaciously Recommended they. By mid-June, President Trump will Prompted Wear a mask “if necessary”. Mr. Fauci initially said wearing a mask did little for him, so he came to criticize him for changing his attitude.

Trump: ‘I wear a mask when I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings and queens – I don’t get it’ Said.

During the first months of the pandemic, DeSantis was often photographed wearing a mask, but the governor thanked President Trump supplied N95 masks to Florida in April 2020. Mr DeSantis has never made it mandatory to wear a mask. defended A parent’s right to choose whether or not their child wears it to school.

playing cards announced He developed a COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 and frequently credited the administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” for its rapid production.former president Award Fauci and others received a “Presidential Commendation” to honor the efforts of doctors who invented the “Gold Standard Vaccine.”

“To achieve this goal, we will harness the full power of government, the genius of American scientists, and the power of American industry to save millions of lives around the world,” Trump said. saved me,” he said.

DeSantis attended On the vaccine announcement, he expressed excitement that Florida will soon receive the vaccine. In early December he announced It made it mandatory to receive the first vaccination, but insisted that it would not be enforced. Governor pushes for vaccine in Spring 2021, Said “Accepted” them in early May.

After exposing the shot, DeSantis signed law Prohibit government agencies, schools and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination.

“Florida avoided a prolonged lockdown and school closures last year because I refused to take the same approach as other lockdown governors,” DeSantis said. Said. “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations is protected and no company or government agency can deny you service based on your decision.”

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