Latest Ron DeSantis News

DeSantis signs Bible, Pence hops on motorcycle at 'Roast and Ride' event in Iowa

Jun. 03, 2023 20:07 PM EDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Amid plates of sliced pork, statement-making leather ensembles and piles of political T-shirts, eight Republican presidential hopefuls descended on Iowa to pitch themselves to voters and, in Mike Pence's case, hop on a motorcycle. The former vice president...

Haley says US forces 'need to align' with countries including Russia; campaign says she misspoke

Jun. 03, 2023 18:56 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley suggested in an interview that United States forces “need to align” with non-European countries including Russia to enhance global security, a remark her campaign characterized as a gaffe. Asked by WMUR-TV for a...

AP's Global Week in Pictures: May 27 - June 2

Jun. 03, 2023 13:39 PM EDT

May 27 - June 2, 2023 From the campaign trail in Iowa of U.S. presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump, to the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world made or published by the...

DeSantis wraps up 1st early states tour as candidate with more personal touch in South Carolina

Jun. 03, 2023 01:38 AM EDT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was wrapping up his first tour of early voting states as a presidential candidate on Friday, showcasing his personal side in South Carolina with a lighthearted sit-down with his wife and an emotional moment with a military spouse. ...

Opponents hold 'day without immigrants' in Florida to protest new restrictions

Jun. 02, 2023 17:07 PM EDT

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (AP) — Across Florida on Thursday, workers didn't show up at construction sites and tomato fields and scores of restaurants, shops and other small businesses never opened their doors to protest a new state law that imposes restrictions on undocumented immigrants. ...

Disney lawsuit judge removes himself from case but not for reasons cited by DeSantis

Jun. 02, 2023 15:51 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge overseeing the First Amendment lawsuit that Walt Disney Parks filed against Gov. Ron DeSantis and others is disqualifying himself, but not because of bias claims made by the Florida governor. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said in a...

Trump and DeSantis jab at each other on campaign trail in 1st dueling appearances as 2024 candidates

Jun. 02, 2023 12:03 PM EDT

GRIMES, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of his chief rival Ron DeSantis on Thursday, jumping immediately on remarks by the Florida governor on the campaign trail to try to highlight his own strength as the leading GOP presidential candidate. ...

Conservative trustees choose 'Mighty Banyans' for Florida college mascot

Jun. 01, 2023 18:43 PM EDT

The New College of Florida trustees dominated by conservatives appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis chose a new mascot Thursday for the Sarasota school: The Mighty Banyans. The tree mascot will replace one that has been in use since 1997, which is the mathematical formulation of...

LGBTQ+ Pride month kicks off with protests, parades, parties

Jun. 01, 2023 11:33 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The start of June marks the beginning of Pride month around the U.S. and some parts of the world, a season intended to celebrate the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ communities and to protest against attacks on hard-won civil rights gains. This year’s Pride takes...

LGBTQ+ people flock to Florida for Gay Days festival

Jun. 01, 2023 11:20 AM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition. Even though Gov. Ron...