Nikki Fried invokes Sean Hannity, Donald Trump in Fox News pro-vaccine PSA
But her lead is within the poll’s margin of error.

Nikki Fried launch video
Fox News viewers don't see Fried often.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried took her aggressively pro-vaccine message to an unusual audience, buying time on the Fox News Channel to air a 30-second PSA on Friday.

Fried, a Democratic candidate for Governor, continues to draw contrasts between herself and incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis on advocacy for vaccines, and this ad buy was no exception.

“You won’t hear this on Fox News from Gov. DeSantis, but you need to,” Fried said in the video. “Sean Hannity and Steve Doocy and your family doctor all agree. Vaccines will save your life, your job and the economy.”

“Even Donald Trump recommends getting vaccinated,” Fried added, before likening the effort to get people vaccinated to World War II.

“Think about it. The greatest generation had to beat the Nazis to preserve our way of life,” Fried said. “You’re only asked to get a shot! So be a patriot, turn off the TV, and go get vaccinated.”

The Fried spot, buoyant as it is, may be targeting the demographics most likely to have had shots earlier in the pandemic. Gov. DeSantis took a “Seniors First” approach to vaccinations that saw an aggressive pattern of deployment to senior communities, where Fox News is a particular staple. The Department of Health has had its own PSAs throughout the pandemic, also, including hundreds on Fox News alone.

For Fried, who has remarked on DeSantis’ ability to get earned media hits on Fox and other right-leaning outlets, the spot served multiple purposes. It increased audience outreach and also served to troll, at least in theory, the Governor.

The PSA comes as Fried’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plans on publishing COVID-19 data, a response to the DeSantis administration’s move to weekly reporting in June, just before the current delta variant swamped Florida’s long-suffering hospitals.

The Agriculture Department’s COVID-19 updates will be disseminated through news releases, social media, and news conferences “as frequently as we feel that we need to,” Fried said Wednesday at the Capitol.

The Commissioner plans another briefing Thursday at 12:30 on the same subject.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


29 comments

  • zhombre

    July 29, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Yeah, that’ll work. Great use of media, Nikki. You’ve got momentum now.

  • Domino

    July 29, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    Nikki is too busy smoking weed to file her 2020 financial disclosure?

    • Michael Hoffmann

      July 29, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      At least she is not into that pharmacopeia favored by Gaetz.

      • Tom

        July 29, 2021 at 11:02 pm

        Just making a cool million on home & earning revenue during a 100 yr pandemic. While pelosi starved unemployed for 6 months without unemployment. Small stuff Hoffmann” no biggie, just fraud & dishonesty. Rules for fraud & rules for the rest. Defend this corrupt being.
        DeSantis will obliterate her. 2/3 state House & Senate to follow with that blowout.

        • Michael Hoffmann

          July 29, 2021 at 11:19 pm

          Corruption, thy name is TRUMP.

          Plus, he abuses those from whom he contracted labor and services.

          You’re unhinged by her Tom — do you find her attractive?

          • Tom

            July 30, 2021 at 7:03 am

            No interest. No thanks.
            She’s corrupt just like the rest of the Dums. She’s Nikki Fraud, making millions while people suffered in a pandemic. Nothing like being for the peeps. LMAO.
            Obsessed is repeating “45” all the time as you do.
            How bout Pelosi starving unemployment beneficiary’s? Cause she hated 45. Her husband makes great pre tax stock deals for decades, the wink & the nod.
            Has the liberal media allowed you to hear bout Hunters corruption yet.
            Just saying.

    • Susan Maneck

      August 2, 2021 at 10:04 pm

      Did you ask Donald Trump the same question?

  • Frank Fasulo

    July 29, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    Nikki Freak

  • Matthew Lusk

    July 29, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    Nikki, what are your views on adultery? We’re still waiting!

    • Susan Maneck

      August 2, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      Did you ask that question of Donald Trump?

  • Tom

    July 29, 2021 at 10:55 pm

    LMAO, the fraud compliments the Gov saying she doesn’t support lockdowns and now does a PSA on Fox. If you can’t beat em and she won’t, join em. What a fraud. Just go away. U and crisp combined don’t have a chance vs America’s Gov.

  • Harold Finch

    July 30, 2021 at 9:28 am

    Well regardless of her running, which I do not support, she has a very salient point!! Get the f#*@ vaccinated!!!

    DeSantis is a complete Jackass and is as about as delusional as Trump!! I am a republican but embarrassed by the republican Governor and legislature!!

  • Tom

    July 30, 2021 at 11:15 am

    Just ignorance on your part.
    The Governor, America’s Governor has encouraged all to take vaccines.
    He’s held multi dozens events encouraging it.
    He led on seniors when all the states didn’t think it though, he did as he study’s science as a whiz kid. DeSantis is the Beirut star.
    When do you and liberals take responsibility for own behavior. Save the fake Repub outrage.
    Spare us. Fried is a fraud.

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:26 am

      Typo Clarify
      DeSantis is “Rising” star

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Typo
      DeSantis is “Rising” star

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:27 am

      DeSantis is “Rising” star

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:28 am

      DeSantis is “Rising”

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:28 am

      DeSantis is “Rising”

    • Tom

      July 30, 2021 at 11:29 am

      DeSantis is “Rising” hi

  • Tom

    July 30, 2021 at 11:32 am

    is “Rising”

  • Michael Hoffmann

    July 30, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    My predication: DeSantis tastes ashes before he tanks. He may be Red America’s governor, that is, the states that now are experiencing a COVID harrowing that is arguably not necessary.

    You do seem afflicted by Nikita, in particular, and Demo women in general, Tom. Ironic since crony capitalism has been perfected by DJT.

    • Tom

      July 31, 2021 at 6:42 am

      How’s Hunter efforts ?? $
      Are you allowed to address with your Soros Manchurian talk points.
      Frauds a joke period, why don’t you volunteer to count her millions so she can file her financials. LMAO. Amazing, every other word from you is bout 45. Obsessed. You listened well at Manchurian school. America’s Governor makes liberal Dums like you do hand stands, Liberal scream in total play.

      • Michael Hoffmann

        July 31, 2021 at 9:37 pm

        There you go again, to paraphrase Ronnie Reagan, with the attempt to distract from the matter at hand. This country is awash in crony capitalism and our politics are awash in dark money.

        Try to bring some light to this instead of reiterating what you heard on Fox or American One tonight.

        What distracts you most about NF, beyond her gender, is that she is part of the inside crowd trying to make pot legal.

        • Tom

          August 1, 2021 at 9:40 am

          No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

          Disgraceful, the WH openly embraces Hunters paintings, offers the market to sell them. That’s atrocious. Your Soros talking points obviously don’t allow you to answer. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong. Typical liberal elite double standard.

          Frauds a joke, except for those who want weed. You have two many other conflicting interests. Your dogma spews. Fried makes millions as an elected, and it’s ok. Hunter profits and it’s ok. Liberal hypocrisy.

  • Tom

    August 1, 2021 at 10:07 am

    No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

    Disgraceful, the WH openly embraces Hunters paintings, offers the market to sell them. That’s atrocious. Your Soros talking points obviously don’t allow you to answer. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong. Typical liberal elite double standard.

    Frauds a joke, except for those who want weed. Liberal hypocrisy.

  • Tom

    August 1, 2021 at 10:11 am

    No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

    Disgraceful, the WH openly embraces Hunters paintings, offers the market to sell them. That’s atrocious. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong. Typical liberal elite double standard.

    Frauds a joke, except for those who want weed. Liberal hypocrisy.

  • Tom

    August 1, 2021 at 10:12 am

    No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

    Disgraceful, the WH openly embraces Hunters paintings, offers the market to sell them. That’s atrocious. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong.
    Frauds a joke, except for those who want weed. Liberal hypocrisy.

  • Tom

    August 1, 2021 at 10:13 am

    No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

    Disgraceful, the WH openly embraces Hunters paintings, offers the market to sell them. That’s atrocious. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong.

  • Tom

    August 1, 2021 at 10:38 am

    No that’s your intrigue, not mine.No interest in Fraud and her personal cannabis crusade. You assume to much.

    Disgraceful, That’s atrocious. You are befuddled Hoffmann. As for cronyism, it’s not new but when you use the WH it’s unlawful. Even 44’s WH ethics director says it’s wrong.

Comments are closed.


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