Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ripped California Governor Gavin Newsom for his policies that have led to a mass exodus in his state during a debate between the two on Thursday night.
Newsom, when pressed by Fox News host Sean Hannity, could not explain the reason why so many people were leaving his state and instead chose to attack DeSantis.
“California has more natural advantages than any state in the country,” DeSantis said. “You almost have to try to mess California up. And yet that’s what Gavin Newsom has done since he’s been governor. He’s the first governor to ever lose population. They actually at one point, ran out of U-Hauls in the state of California because so many people were leaving.”
DeSantis noted that Newsom’s draconian COVID-19 measures, including keeping kids out of school while his kids went to private school, had played a role in inspiring citizens to flee the state.
“He’s very good at spinning these tales,” DeSantis continued. “He’s good at being slick and slippery hills, he’ll tell a blizzard of lies to be able to try to mask the failures. But the reality is they have failed because of his leftist ideology. And the choice for America’s this what Biden and Harris and Newsom want to do is take the California model and do that nationally. In Florida, we show that conservative principles work. This country must choose freedom over failure.”
Newsom said that he was at the debate to defend President Joe Biden, which was not the original reason given for the debate being held.
Newsom repeatedly avoided answering the question, which DeSantis and Hannity both pointed out.
Newsom attacked DeSantis’ Republican presidential campaign, saying that he won’t be the Republican Party’s nominee.
The California governor repeatedly tried to talk over DeSantis, including when DeSantis noted that members of Newsom’s own family have left California to move to Florida.
WATCH:
Ron DeSantis shreds Gavin Newsom's policies that have led to a mass exodus in California. Newsom has no response. pic.twitter.com/mwZrqKNPWp
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) December 1, 2023