Report mocked for ‘scoop’ that DeSantis doesn’t ’email or text’

By Eric Daugherty

Published Mar. 29, 2023, 9:12 a.m. ET | Updated Mar. 29, 2023

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking with attendees at the 2021 Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida (Gage Skidmore).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ team made fun of Semafor for a “scoop” that the governor “doesn’t email or text.”

“Sources say Florida’s expansive public records laws may play a part in his decision, but it makes DeSantis’ tight-knit inner circle that much harder to break into,” Semafor reported.

“This isn’t news. Everyone who pays attention already knew this. Also it’s good that the governor of our state isn’t texting or emailing all day,” Christina Pushaw, a member of DeSantis’ campaign, said.

Bryan Griffin, press secretary for the governor, mocked, “SCOOP: Governor spends days governing.”

“Good for him! Why is this news?” one user replied.

Earlier this year, DeSantis’ press secretary told NBC that the governor would not appear on any NBC-affiliated show until a “blatant lie” is retracted and corrected that DeSantis doesn’t want children to learn about slavery in America.

“I think we need to take a step back,” Griffin said in an email to NBC. “There will be no consideration of anything related to NBC Universal or its affiliates until and at least Andrea Mitchell corrects the blatant lie she made about the governor.”

Since DeSantis gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic, his team responded to media hit-pieces and manipulative journalism practices by stonewalling outlets from access due to dishonest reporting.

“WPTV, other news media not allowed inside as DeSantis signs elections bill,” one headline reads from 2021.

“Times/Herald reporter barred from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ news conference,” another said from 2020.

In late 2022, Pushaw advocated to “FREEZE THEM [the media] OUT.”

“Build up truly independent media instead, by granting interviews to fair journalists even if their publications are small,” she said.

“Governor DeSantis will give interviews to @FLVoiceNews @RebelNews_USA & @theflstandard but not ABC or CBS.”

Semafor’s report came amid a mainstream media blitz that DeSantis might be “darkening” Florida’s “open-records laws.”