California governor Gavin Newsom was ridiculed amid his feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
On July 3, Newsom launched an ad encouraging Floridians to move to California.
“I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight or join us in California.” Newsom said in the ad.
He also attacked the Republican leaders in several states including Florida, alleging that they’re taking away the people’s freedom.
“We’re about to celebrate Independence Day — but Freedom is under attack by Republican leaders in states like Florida. Banning books. Restricting speech. Making it harder to vote. Criminalizing women and doctors. It’s time to stand up. Don’t let them take your freedom.” Newsom tweeted.
Several days after Newsom posted the ad, Ron DeSantis blasted Newsom, claiming that California was a “hemorrhaging population.”
During a press conference on July 8, DeSantis argued that “it’s almost hard to drive people out of a place like California given their natural advantages, but yet they’re finding a way to do it.”
“California is driving people away with their terrible governance…it’s almost hard to drive people out of a place like California…and yet they’re finding a way to do it.” He added.
As the ad became controversial, Newsom was forced to explain his motive behind the attack.
On Friday, the California governor explained that he was motivated to launch the July 4 ad because Ron DeSantis took aim at the Special Olympics.
“He did something that tipped me very directly, and that was going after the Special Olympics. I had an emotional response to that,” he explained.
The controversy was fueled after the Florida Department of Health warned the Special Olympics officials that it would fine their organization $27.5 million if it didn’t impose the vaccine mandate for its event in the Walt Disney World Resort last June.
“Florida wants everybody to have opportunities to make the most of their God-given abilities and to be able to compete in athletics,” DeSantis said.
“Allowing athletes to compete in the USA Games earlier this month was a step in the right direction. Now, Special Olympics Florida is ready to welcome athletes who were not able to compete in our games, thanks to a guarantee of financial assistance from the international organization.” He added.
After that, Newsom took to Twitter and slammed DeSantis, alleging that “Ron DeSantis’ values on full display: Bullying. The. Special. Olympics.”
