FACT CHECK: DeSantis Did Not “Shut Down” FL Government For “Two Plus Weeks”

By Eric Daugherty

Published Jan. 3, 2022, 1:58 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 3, 2023

January 3, 2021 Updated 9:39 A.M. ET

CLAIM: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) shut down the Florida government for “two plus weeks while COVID raged”

CLAIMANT: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried (D)

FACT CHECK: False – DeSantis worked for the vast majority of December, except for select days like Christmas. The state government did not shut down for two or more weeks.

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried (D) incorrectly claimed that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) shut down the state government for “two plus weeks while COVID raged.”

Spoiler: He’ll blame Biden for his own failures, get angry at reporters for asking why state government shut down for two plus weeks while COVID raged, and also find a way to take credit for everyone else’s work trying to keep Floridians and our economy healthy. https://t.co/N4GZ08Kkbd
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) January 3, 2022

According to official DeSantis press releases, DeSantis had an active working schedule throughout December except for select days like Christmas.

He also gave state offices additional days for holiday, including December 23 (day before Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Years Eve).

According to FCV sources, and verified by other reporters, DeSantis also spent some time during December with his cancer-diagnosed wife, Casey DeSantis.

Several prominent left-wing influencers, like Joy-Ann Reid, also claimed that DeSantis was on “vacation.” FCV issued multiple fact checks to debunk misinformation surrounding the Florida governor.

Conservatives are confused as to where Fried got her information, given she is also a member of the state government that did not shut down for two+ weeks.