Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Joe Biden pokes at Ron DeSantis after Florida criticism: ‘Governor who?’

Jab comes as the president and Florida governor continue to feud

Eric Garcia
Thursday 05 August 2021 22:42 BST
Comments
President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters after driving a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xe around the White House driveway following remarks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House 5 August 2021.
President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters after driving a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xe around the White House driveway following remarks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House 5 August 2021. (Getty Images)
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

President Joe Biden has poked fun at his potential Republican challenger in 2024, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis.

A reporter asked Mr Biden what he thought about comments Mr DeSantis made in response to the president’s criticism of Florida as new cases of Covid-19 increase.

“Governor who?” Mr Biden said with a grin and responding to laughs on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Mr Biden had criticized Mr DeSantis and Texas Gov Greg Abbott’s management of the pandemic, since Florida and Texas account for a third of all of the Covid-19 cases in the US

“If some governors aren't willing to do the right thing to beat this pandemic, they should allow businesses and universities who want to do the right thing to be able to do it,” Mr Biden said. “I say to these governors: please help. If you aren't going to help, please get out of the way of the people who are trying to do the right thing.”

In response, Mr DeSantis, who is seen as a potential candidate for president in 2024, railed against Mr Biden, saying he didn’t “want to hear a blip about Covid" from the president until he “gets the border secure”.

“If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way. If you're trying to deny kids a proper in-person education, I'm gonna stand in your way and stand up for the kids in Florida. If you're trying to restrict people and impose mandates and ruin their jobs and livelihood if you are trying to lock people down, I am standing in your way,” he said. “I am standing for the people of Florida.”

As of Thursday, 12,516 people were hospitalized for Covid-19, according to the Florida Hospital Association.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in