Florida Governor Ron DeSantis denies allegations of wearing heels after social media speculation arose regarding the structure of his footwear. The controversy emerged after a viral video of DeSantis on comedian Bill Maher’s HBO program circulated online. During an interview on the Patrick Bet-David podcast, DeSantis addressed the issue, stating that the boots in question are simply standard off-the-rack Lucchese boots and do not have heels.
In response to questions about his height, the governor confirmed that he stands at 5’11 (180cm). When asked why he doesn’t wear tennis shoes or dress shoes instead, DeSantis explained that he does wear tennis shoes during workouts. However, he declined Patrick Bet-David’s offer to give him a pair of Ferragamo shoes, stating that he cannot accept gifts.
Speculation about DeSantis wearing height boosters has been fueled by claims made by three shoemakers who told Politico that they believe the governor is indeed using them. Each shoemaker estimated that about 1.5 (3.8cm) has been added to DeSantis’s height through these boosters. Videos on TikTok and Twitter mocking the governor’s peculiarly shaped boots have gone viral, with users suggesting that he is trying to appear taller alongside his potential rival, Donald Trump.
It is worth noting that Trump, who claims to be 6’3 (190cm), seemed to be the same height as former President Barack Obama, who is 6’1 (185cm), in photographs of the two together during Trump’s inauguration in 2017.
Zephan Parker of Parker Boot Company, who has experience working with politicians, affirmed to Politico that DeSantis is wearing lifts. He explained that in ready-made cowboy boots, the heel is usually cut down by half an inch to accommodate the lifts. Additionally, Parker observed that the shafts of DeSantis’s boots appear wider than normal, suggesting extra room for the height boosters. Other bootmakers agreed, pointing out that the tops of the boots push against DeSantis’s trouser legs, indicating that the boots are larger than intended.
In summary, Governor Ron DeSantis has dismissed allegations of wearing heels, asserting that his boots are regular Lucchese boots. However, speculation persists as to whether he is employing height boosters, with multiple shoemakers expressing their belief that he is. As videos mocking his choice of footwear continue to circulate on social media, DeSantis’s appearance remains a subject of scrutiny and debate.
