Ron DeSantis, Elon Musk and Twitter - The Good, Bad and Ugly

In a groundbreaking Twitter Space event, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a significant announcement alongside Twitter owner Elon Musk, declaring his candidacy for the President of the United States. The online gathering, however, faced technical difficulties, crashing after an overwhelming turnout of over 720,000 listeners. After relaunching, the space stilled garnered a peek live audience of approximately 300,000 listeners at a single time

My Thoughts:

The event fulfilled its primary objective of announcing his run for the presidency. However, it fell short in terms of addressing challenging questions and providing a platform for robust discourse. The event lacked critical pushback on DeSantis's claims, and the selection of guests on stage appeared to favor those with evident biases towards the governor and the right-wing.

Admittedly, my expectations were not high in this regard. It was apparent that the purpose of the event was primarily to serve as a platform for DeSantis to make his announcement, rather than a forum for him to engage in rigorous scrutiny or face tough policy questions. Consequently, the absence of substantive critique or in-depth examination of his proposals left much to be desired.

Unsurprisingly, Trump supporters may feel disappointed, as they expected more fervent support for their preferred candidate. Conversely, Biden supporters, who likely anticipated rigorous opposition to DeSantis's policies, may also be dissatisfied with the event's lack of substantive challenges.

Moving forward, it is essential that if other candidates opt to conduct similar events, Elon Musk maintains a fair and balanced approach. It is crucial that countering viewpoints are presented and candidates are subject to scrutiny, rather than being shielded from critical examination, as was the case in this event.

Transparency and accountability are fundamental pillars of a healthy democratic process. In order for voters to make informed decisions, candidates must be willing to engage in robust discussions, defend their positions, and address legitimate concerns. Without such accountability, the democratic process risks becoming an exercise in one-sided promotion, undermining the public's ability to assess candidates critically.

As the race for the presidency unfolds, it is essential for candidates to prioritize open dialogue and genuine engagement with opposing perspectives. This is vital not only to satisfy the expectations of supporters but also to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and to foster a well-informed electorate.

Overview of the Event:

As anticipated, Governor DeSantis officially declared his intention to run for the highest office in the country. He began the event with a lengthy opening statement, capturing the attention of not only his supporters but also influential figures such as Rudy Giuliani and several other allies of former President Donald Trump, who were present in the audience during the announcement.

During his address, Governor DeSantis used an intriguing choice of words, emphasizing that "merit must TRUMP identity politics," shedding light on his stance against divisive approaches in governance. He extensively discussed what he perceived as successes in Florida, highlighting his achievements and policies implemented during his tenure.

Governor DeSantis firmly asserted that "governing is not entertainment," emphasizing his commitment to serious and purposeful leadership. Notably, questions posed to him during the event revolved around the border wall and promises made during the previous administration, with no inquiries regarding former President Trump himself.

Drawing attention to his strong stance on immigration, Governor DeSantis claimed that President Biden had "opened the southern border," vowing to "shut down the border" and resume construction of the border wall. Furthermore, he voiced his opposition to the "woke mob" and vigorously criticized the perceived weaponization of administrative power by the current administration.

Governor DeSantis launched several direct attacks on President Biden's policies while also subtly addressing areas where he differed from former President Trump. He repeatedly emphasized the importance of free speech and applauded Elon Musk's recent acquisition of Twitter, expressing hope that the platform would foster diverse political dialogue. Both Governor DeSantis and Elon Musk stressed the significance of safeguarding free speech from censorship, with Musk stating that "Twitter was expensive, but free speech is priceless."

The event also witnessed an exchange between Governor DeSantis and David Sacks regarding a travel advisory issued by the NAACP. DeSantis dismissed claims that Florida was unsafe, citing crime statistics. He also highlighted the state's substantial representation of black-owned businesses and high-ranking black students.

Regarding public health, Governor DeSantis criticized the policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for a thorough reevaluation and cleansing of all health agencies at the federal level. He further emphasized his commitment to protecting free speech by developing a digital bill of rights that would prevent government officials from colluding with social media platforms to suppress speech.

Additional speakers, including Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, were invited to address the audience during the event. Notably absent were Democrats, left-wing individuals, and prominent Trump supporters asking questions on stage.

Governor DeSantis expressed his intentions to utilize the powers of the Executive Branch to ensure that the government is "reconstitutionalized." He asserted that agencies failing to meet appropriate standards should face defunding.

Responding to allegations from Disney regarding job cuts in Florida, Governor DeSantis mentioned his opposition to gender ideology in elementary schools, implying that political disagreement influenced his actions against the company. He labeled Republicans siding with Disney as "Corporatists."

DeSantis dismissed claims of book banning as a "hoax," claiming that books were being removed from schools rather than outright banned. While he did not address specific titles, he pointed out examples involving sexual content. He also expressed opposition to teaching critical race theory to young children, emphasizing the importance of not labeling them as oppressors or the oppressed.

In addressing immigration, Governor DeSantis vowed to "shut the border down" but did not provide detailed strategies beyond allocating additional resources to border security.

During the event, Governor DeSantis indirectly criticized former President Trump by emphasizing the importance of action over empty promises, asserting that voters seek tangible results. In response to a question posed by Sacks regarding legitimate crypto companies and Bitcoin, DeSantis pledged to protect the right to engage in cryptocurrency activities and expressed opposition to any potential bans.

Elon Musk, known for his affinity towards cryptocurrencies, mentioned Dogecoin, while DeSantis highlighted Florida's ban on a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), indicating his disapproval of such initiatives. Governor DeSantis concluded the event by expressing his desire to conduct another Twitter Spaces session in the future.

Governor Ron DeSantis' Twitter Space event, held in collaboration with Elon Musk, marked the official announcement of his presidential campaign, providing insights into his policy priorities and vision for the nation. As the political landscape takes shape, DeSantis seeks to position himself as a candidate who prioritizes merit, free speech, and strong governance.