DeSantis, Again, Finds Himself Embroiled In Controversy About Race

It took less than 24 hours into the general election for Ron DeSantis to engage in dog whistle politics, telling Floridians not to “monkey this up” by electing Andrew Gillum.
Now, he finds himself engaged in yet another controversy about race.
In a breaking story last night, the Washington Post reported Ron DeSantis has spoken “four times at conferences organized by a conservative activist who has said that African Americans owe their freedom to white people and that the country’s ‘only serious race war’ is against whites.”
At the conferences, he called himself an “admirer” of the organization, which has also featured prominent alt-right luminaries Stephen K. Bannon, Milo Yiannopoulos and Sebastian Gorka, and was organized by David Horowitz, who is a “white race war” conspiracy theorist. DeSantis said Horowitz has done “great work.”
His campaign did not back down and defended his appearances, stating DeSantis’ appearances with the group were part of “standing up for truth and American strength” and that he “appreciates those who support his efforts.”
This comes after he refused to express regret for his use of “monkey this up” on Neil Cavuto’s show this past Saturday morning.
“Ron DeSantis must denounce David Horowitz’s comments and beliefs, and renounce any past comments of support for the Freedom Center,” said Democratic Governors Association Deputy Communications Director David Turner. “Governing Florida requires a leader who will unite the state, not someone who willingly associates and defends the platform of fringe conspiracy theorists.”