search
Sections List
American Journal News

Ron DeSantis holds anti-vaccine roundtable as speculation about 2024 bid grows

Many Republicans remain suspicious of the COVID-19 vaccine despite its proven safety and effectiveness.

By Emily Singer - December 14, 2022
Share
Ron DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in Miami, Florida on December 1, 2022. Governor DeSantis announced awards totaling $22.7 million to support water quality improvements and protection of Biscayne Bay. "Protecting our environment has been a priority since the first day I took office," said Governor Ron DeSantis. (Photo by Ronen Tivony/Sipa USA) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field ***(Sipa via AP Images)

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis held a town hall on Tuesday during which he announced he would seek to impanel a grand jury to investigate “any wrongdoing” by COVID-19 vaccine makers.

“We are going to work to hold these manufacturers accountable for this mRNA [vaccine] because they said there was no side effects, and we know that there have been, and there have been a lot,” DeSantis said, according to NBC News affiliate WFLA in Tampa.

Vaccine manufacturers have been upfront with the public about the vaccine’s possible side effects, including fever, aches, and rarer ones such as allergic reactions and myocarditis — or inflammation of the heart.

During the event, which DeSantis called a “COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Accountability Roundtable,” anti-vaccine figures talked about the perils of the vaccines — including myocarditis — even though studies have shown they are safe and effective and have saved more than 3 million lives and prevented 18 million hospitalizations since their release.

Floridians who claimed to be “injured” by the COVID-19 vaccine also spoke at the event, attributing health problems they have to the vaccine. They included Steven Ordonia, who set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help him fight against “Phizer [sic],” which he claims injured him with the vaccine.

After the so-called “vaccine-injured” people spoke, DeSantis then touted his record of opposing vaccine mandates in his state.

“You had a lot of elites in this country trying to condition society so that if you didn’t bend the knee then you were basically a second-class citizen, and so in Florida, we rejected that and made sure that people could make their own decisions,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis hosted the event as speculation mounts about whether he’ll challenge former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.

Much of the Republican base opposes vaccine mandates and COVID-19 mitigation efforts such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

According to polling and updated data on vaccination rates, Republicans are less likely to support vaccine requirements and less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Studies also found that more Republicans died from the disease than Democrats after vaccines became available, as fewer Republicans got vaccinated..

A Morning Consult survey released on Nov. 17 found 84% of Democrats are vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to just 63% of Republicans.

In September, the National Bureau of Economic Research released a working paper that found “Republican-leaning counties have had higher COVID-19 death rates than Democrat-leaning counties,” and that there is “evidence of a link between political party affiliation and vaccination views.”

DeSantis’ anti-vaccine event came as new polling released on Tuesday showed him gaining on Trump in a potential 2024 presidential primary matchup.

A USA Today/Suffolk University poll found 56% of Republican primary voters would support DeSantis, while just 33% would back Trump. Meanwhile, a Morning Consult survey released Tuesday found Trump leading DeSantis 49%-21%.

DeSantis has not yet said whether he plans to run for president in 2024.

Amanda Carpenter, a Republican strategist who opposes Trump, said DeSantis’ roundtable was an effort to outflank Trump with conservatives.

“Ron is now talking about how he rejected vaccine mandates and passports. Part of positioning to attack Trump from the right,” Carpenter tweeted. “Who thinks that is a good idea. To be more anti-vax than Trump. Is there nothing else Ron could do here…”

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

By Jesse Valentine - April 24, 2025
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

By Jesse Valentine - March 28, 2025
Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

By Jesse Valentine - March 26, 2025
GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

By Jesse Valentine - March 18, 2025
HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

By Jesse Valentine - March 11, 2025
Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

By Jesse Valentine - March 10, 2025
Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

By - February 28, 2025
Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

By Jesse Valentine - February 27, 2025
Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2025
Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

By Jesse Valentine - February 13, 2025