DeSantis’ team slams Daily Beast for ‘bot farm’ report not including full comments

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign lambasted an anonymously-sourced Daily Beast article reporting the governor has a “secret Twitter army of far-right influencers” and runs a “bot farm” to bolster his popularity.

Referencing DeSantis’ appearance at an NFL playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs, the Beast said clips of the governor’s warm greeting receiving millions of views was “no accident” and part of his “possible run for the presidency.”

Author Jake Lahut cited John Cardillo, Jack Murphy, and David Reaboi as the “DeSantis A-team” that’s “fighting a battle for a presidential campaign that hasn’t even started yet.”

He said he spoke with “conservative influencers” on DeSantis’ alleged “bot farm.”

“Both sources said the idea was sold to them as being paid to boost DeSantis on social media with the help of the ‘bot farm’ to boost the reach of their content,” Lahut said. “The Republicans who were approached—and ultimately turned down the pitch—said they believe DeSantis’ campaign pays the influencers off the books or through a third-party vendor, though no one said they knew exactly how that would work or what the offer would be.”

The DeSantis campaign was asked about claims of an alleged “bot farm” being used to bolster the governor’s approval in light of his nearly 20-point victory in November 2022.

“Enthusiasm for Governor DeSantis is generated through his relentless work to keep Floridians free, not paying for retweets. We do not pay ‘influencers’ to tweet nor do we pay for ‘bot farms,'” campaign spokeswoman Lindsey Curnutte told The Daily Beast. “People do that? In case you need a reminder: The Governor was re-elected by a historic 19.4%, and he won in every corner of the state. He has millions of supporters and yes, many of them are on social media. This isn’t news.”

“Clickbait websites like yours know this, and that’s exactly why you attempt to smear his name to drive clicks. Touch some grass, Jake.”

Lahut said Curnutte sent “20 bullet points on political and policy victories from the DeSantis administration,” but did not include more than two of them.

Florida’s Voice asked Curnutte for the list of bullet points not published by The Daily Beast. She sent the following:

• Because of Governor DeSantis’ leadership, registered Republican voters in Florida outnumber Democrats by 389,000 voters, something never done before in state history. 
• Governor DeSantis won re-election with the support of 62 of the 67 counties in Florida and flipped Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County (which he won by double digits) 
• The Governor also won: Independent voters by 18%, Female voters by 9%, and Hispanic voters with more than 60% of the vote 
• Governor DeSantis endorsed conservative school board candidates and 29 of those candidates were victorious (they are now ensuring their school boards protect parents’ rights and focus on student success) 
• Governor DeSantis delivered supermajorities in the State House and Senate
• Here are just a few of the policies Governor DeSantis has put forth just since he was sworn-in for his second term on January 3: 
  • An additional $1 billion for teacher pay increases 
  • A commitment to further protect Florida’s environment and water quality with an additional $3.5 billion for Everglades restoration, doubling his original commitment, making this the largest in state history 
  • Prioritizing education over identity politics, leading College Board to revise the AP African American Studies course for the entire nation 
  • A commitment to permanently ban any vaccine and mask mandates in the state of Florida 
  • An additional $13.8 million to support mental health services for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian 
  • A plan to relieve Floridians from high prescription drug prices   
  • The appointment of 6 conservative trustees to the New College to refocus its mission to provide world-class education 
  • An additional $1 million through the Florida Disaster Fund to help teachers and school employees who suffered impacts from Hurricane Ian 
  • Nearly $20 million for water quality projects to restore the Indian River Lagoon 
  • Activation of the Florida National Guard to provide resources for local governments to keep Floridians safe as the Biden Admin ignores the illegal immigration crisis 
  • $100 million for beach recovery following Hurricane Ian and Nicole 

Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’ rapid response director, slammed the Beast for not publishing Curnutte’s bullet points.

“Hmm wonder why the Daily Beast would ignore all this? Maybe because it proves @RonDeSantisFL’s support is organic?” she said.

“No influencers are paid to tweet or attend events about @RonDeSantisFL; if you actually knew the people you smeared, you’d know their opinions aren’t for sale. We all chose to live in Florida because of Gov DeSantis policies,” Pushaw said in another Twitter thread.

“He has millions of real life supporters. No need for ‘bot farms’- do people actually do that?”

On false media narratives, Curnutte pointed to previous remarks from DeSantis, who proclaimed he will not be “swayed by false media narratives.”

“We’re going to continue to do what’s right and I think one of the things people can count on me for is that. If you’re looking for me to stand up for you, I am not going to be swayed by false media narratives,” the governor said.