Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently criticized the media for what he perceives as biased reporting on the California wildfires, accusing them of creating negative narratives around conservative figures like former President Donald Trump while downplaying the responsibility of Democratic leaders in California. DeSantis made these remarks during an appearance on "Fox & Friends," where he discussed his meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and Florida's efforts to assist California.
DeSantis argued that the media unfairly targeted Trump's response to the wildfires while seemingly protecting Democratic officials in California. He called out this perceived double standard, suggesting that if California's leaders were Republicans, the media's scrutiny would be far more intense. The governor referenced a prior incident at Mar-a-Lago where he defended Trump against similar accusations, emphasizing the media's alleged tendency to create division and push specific narratives.
DeSantis recalled Trump's criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the crisis, including Trump's assertion that FEMA lacked sufficient funds due to excessive spending on green initiatives. The Florida governor then recounted his own experience with media scrutiny during Hurricane Ian, claiming that reporters focused on finding negative angles rather than acknowledging the state's preparedness and effective response.
Beyond the media critique, DeSantis highlighted Florida's support for California, explaining that the Florida Division of Emergency Management is actively coordinating with its California counterpart to provide assistance as needed. He affirmed Florida's commitment to fulfilling California's requests for aid during this challenging time.
