DeSantis’ office debunks report suggesting Iowa didn’t want Florida’s help in Davenport collapse
DAVENPORT, Iowa (FLV) – Rebuking a “lie by omission” report from NBC News, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary debunked the notion that Florida sent personnel to assist in recovery efforts after a Davenport, Iowa building collapse when they weren’t needed.
The assistance from DeSantis came after a six-story apartment building collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds initially made the request.
DeSantis tweeted his support for Iowa on June 5, which NBC included in their report:
At the request of Iowa, I've directed @FLSERT and @myFDOT to deploy personnel to assist in the ongoing recovery in Davenport following the recent building collapse.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 6, 2023
We are proud to help the people of Iowa. pic.twitter.com/nlq3mn7VpE
However, Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ press secretary, grilled NBC author Matt Dixon for lying “by omission” by simply reporting the mission was “canceled” and Florida personnel not being “needed,” suggesting DeSantis sent Florida agents when they weren’t requested anymore.
Redfern posted an email from the Florida Division of Emergency Management noting that Iowa modified the request for assistance, saying that personnel sent from the Sunshine State “currently in Iowa or in the air enroute for operational periods” will still be accepted by Iowa.
NBC omitted the mission clarification, but only reported that the mission was “canceled” and that Florida authorities understood the cancellation had occurred.
“Ron DeSantis bragged about sending help to Iowa — 10 hours after being told it wasn’t needed,” Dixon’s story was headlined.
“Yet several hours after both those emails, DeSantis sent his tweet boasting of Florida’s role in sending personnel,” he wrote.
DeSantis communications director Jeremy Redfern said “you are wrong” when he was asked whether DeSantis or his staff knew the mission had been canceled when DeSantis sent his tweet.
He did not elaborate and referred NBC News to the Division of Emergency Management.
NBC News, Matt Dixon
“Iowa modified the mission,” Redfern noted. “Just because a mission was modified does not mean the entire mission was cancelled. Iowa asked for assistance, and Florida responded.”
