Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, referring to them as two peas in a pod when it comes to their handling of COVID-19 lockdowns. DeSantis expressed concerns about the optics of Newsom’s trip to China, stating that it sends the wrong message to the world. Newsom’s visit, which focused on discussing climate action, economic development, and human rights concerns, has sparked criticism due to the ongoing tensions between China and the West.
DeSantis highlighted the similarities between Newsom and Xi’s approach to COVID-19, emphasizing their imposition of lengthy lockdowns and restrictions on people’s daily lives. The Florida governor claimed that many people migrated from California to Florida due to their dissatisfaction with Newsom’s policies. He also stated that China is seen as the biggest emerging threat to the United States by many 2024 presidential candidates, including himself.
Despite not being part of the Democratic primary race for 2024, Newsom is set to debate DeSantis next month. The debate, sanctioned by Fox News and hosted by Sean Hannity, will take place in Georgia on November 30. DeSantis expressed his readiness for the debate, describing it as a valuable opportunity for the country.
DeSantis’s remarks came during his visit to Nevada, where he attended a breakfast with Nevada Republicans and delivered a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Summit. The event took place shortly after Hamas carried out an attack on Israel, highlighting the significance of the discussions surrounding international relations and national security at the summit.
Overall, DeSantis’s criticism of Newsom’s meeting with Xi Jinping reflects concerns about the message being conveyed to China and the perception of America’s relationship with an authoritarian leader. The upcoming debate between Newsom and DeSantis presents an opportunity for them to further discuss their differing approaches to governance and address issues such as COVID-19 policies and national security.
