Casey DeSantis Claps Back on Gavin Newsom’s Comments About Florida’s Stance Against Special Olympics Vaccine Mandate

July 18, 2022 Updated 3:30 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis sent a tweet about Florida standing up for special olympics athletes after California Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed why he aired his campaign ads attacking Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“He did something that tipped me very directly, and that was going after the Special Olympics. I had an emotional response to that,” Newsom told The Sacramento Bee. “That led to the consideration of doing something a little bit more expressive and that was the determination on the ad.”

The DeSantis Administration pressured Special Olympics International to drop its vaccine mandate so athletes who did not want to get the vaccine could compete. Those games took place in early June in Orlando.

“For those who need a reminder… this is why we fight. Isabella competed in the Special Olympics because Ron DeSantis stood up and fought for her and all the other Special Olympians who would have been sidelined,” Casey DeSantis said. “We will never stop fighting for people like Isabella.”

The DeSantis Administration said it would impose a $27.5 million fine on Special Olympics International if athletes were required to provide proof of vaccination in order to compete. The vaccine mandate violated Florida law.

Special Olympics International then dropped the vaccine mandate which allowed all athletes who qualified to compete.

At a June press conference, several special olympic athletes shared how they would have not been allowed to compete with the vaccine mandate. A mother of one of the athletes named Isabella spoke in June.

“Florida says inclusion, I’m just so thankful we are especially here in Florida, our special Olympics Florida.” Isabella’s mom said. “I’m glad that our team is back together.”

Governor Newsom launched a campaign ad in Florida over July 4th weekend telling Floridians that “freedom is under attack” in their state.

“I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight or join us in California,” he said. “Where we still believe in freedom.”

However, Governor DeSantis believed all athletes who qualified should have been free to compete without following the vaccine mandate.

“We do not think it’s fair or just to be marginalizing some of these athletes based on a decision that has no bearing on their ability to compete with honor and integrity,” Governor DeSantis said in June.