Trying to draw attention this week for its “Sunshine Summit,” the Republican Party of Florida rolled out the names of speakers who will appear at the two-day gathering in late June.
But the inclusion of Dinesh D’Souza, a controversial right-wing commentator who criticized survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, quickly drew controversy --- and raised objections from Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.
Scott’s campaign said D’Souza remaining on the slate of speakers could affect whether the governor, who is running for U.S. Senate, will attend the event.
“His (D’Souza’s) comments were disgusting and unacceptable,” said Ryan Patmintra, a spokesman for Scott. “The governor has spent a lot of time with the Parkland victims and their families and will always stand with them. Please note at this time we have not made a decision about attending, and yes, this would have an impact whether we will attend the summit.”
Putnam, who is seeking to replace Scott in the governor’s mansion, is locked in for a gubernatorial debate that will be held during the party summit. But that didn’t keep his campaign from criticizing D’Souza’s comments.
“What Dinesh D’Souza said was extremely insensitive and offensive to a community who had just lost their friends, fellow students and teachers in a horrific massacre by a troubled individual,” Putnam campaign spokeswoman Amanda Bevis said in a statement.
In a response Thursday, party Chairman Blaise Ingoglia, a state House member from Spring Hill, focused on Scott’s stance.
“Contrary to what the media narrative is, we have a good working relationship with Governor Scott and are behind him 100 percent in his bid to unseat career politician Bill Nelson. We will continue to have an open dialogue with him and his team regarding the Sunshine Summit,” Ingoglia said in the statement.
D’Souza, who has produced films based on his own anti-President Barack Obama and anti-Hillary Clinton books, has long been a controversial figure. However, he crossed the line with some people over a tweet that mocked Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School survivors.
“Worst news since their parents told them to get summer jobs,” D’Souza tweeted Feb. 20 in response to an Associated Press photo of students in the Florida House gallery as lawmakers rejected an attempt to ban “assault” weapons.
D’Souza later apologized, though he said his tweet was aimed at “media manipulation.” Nevertheless, the criticism of his comment has lingered.
The state Republican Party announced Monday that D’Souza would be one of three “household names” who would speak at the summit, along with author Dan Bongino and Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. The summit will be held June 28 and June 29 in Orlando.
“We look forward to hearing their message of liberty, opportunity and limited government,” Ingoglia said in the announcement.
But Democrats, sensing political opportunity as the state continues to reel from the Parkland school shooting that killed 17 people, bashed the inclusion of D’Souza.
"Dinesh D'Souza is a bully who represents everything that is wrong with our politics,” state Democratic Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo said in a prepared statement.
GAETZ SAYS TRUMP DESERVES A NOBEL PRIZE
Ongoing efforts to stabilize the Korean peninsula are worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize for President Donald Trump, according to Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
The Fort Walton Beach Republican was one of 18 members of his party to sign a nominating letter --- sent Tuesday to the Norwegian Nobel Committee --- backing Trump for work to "end the Korean War, denuclearize the Korean peninsula, and bring peace to the region."
"Since taking office, President Trump has worked tirelessly to apply maximum pressure on North Korea to end its illicit weapons programs and bring peace to the region,” the letter said. “His administration successfully united the international community, including China, to impose one of the most successful international sanctions regimes in history. The sanctions decimated the North Korean economy and have been largely credited for bringing North Korea to the negotiating table.”
Gaetz was the only member of Florida’s congressional delegation to sign the letter.
DESANTIS’ CAMPAIGN DISMISSES VA TALK
Congressman Ron DeSantis’ campaign this week dismissed a Washington Post report that the Republican gubernatorial candidate was on a short list to become the next Veterans Affairs secretary.
“As much as @adamputnam would like this to be true, @RonDesantisFL is going to be next Governor of Florida,” tweeted DeSantis campaign manager Brad Herold. “He will however continue to work with the next VA Secretary to make sure Florida veterans are given the care they deserve.”
According to the Post, topping the list of potential nominees is Jeff Miller, who spent 16 years in Congress representing Northwest Florida.
Trump has praised DeSantis, who has been among GOP lawmakers who have repeatedly appeared on Fox News to defend the president.
“Congressman Ron DeSantis is a brilliant young leader, Yale and then Harvard Law, who would make a GREAT Governor of Florida. He loves our Country and is a true FIGHTER!” Trump tweeted in December.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: “Anything can happen on #OpenGaetz Day :) (I’m sure I’ve done far worse in middle school).” --- U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) after posing for a photo with middle school students in Crestview. A girl is seen in the background flipping off Gaetz.
