Jesse Scheckner
Twitter gave Christina Pushaw, Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ bellicose press secretary, a 12-hour time-out Friday.
The suspension came after Pushaw encouraged her 21,800 followers to harass Associated Press reporter Brendan Farrington, who published a story Tuesday about a top DeSantis donor’s link to a hedge fund that invested in Regeneron, a drug used to treat COVID-19.
DeSantis, who has urged Florida residents to get vaccinated, has been been promoting Regeneron across the state as an alternative/supplement to vaccinations ahead of the state opening sites to administer the drug.
While the headline of Farrington’s story drew attention to the donor’s investment in Regeneron, the story details how the hedge fund invested more in vaccine manufacturers but notes that “the relationship (with Regeneron) has generated a buzz on social media, as Democrats question the relationship.”
Pushaw responded to the story with a flood of tweets aimed at Farrington, his editor and the AP over the next few days. In a since-deleted tweet, she told her followers: Drag them.”
Farrington said he received death threats. As of Friday night, he’d set his account to private.
Earlier Friday, the AP published an article calling on DeSantis to end Pushaw’s “harassing behavior.” The article quoted Pushaw as saying she wasn’t aware “drag them” was meant to be taken as a threat.
Washington Examiner reporter Jerry Dunleavy shared a screenshot Pushaw apparently shared with him at around 6:45 p.m. showing Twitter informing her she’d violated its rules. While she could still browse Twitter, the message said, she would not be able to tweet, retweet, post fleets, follow other accounts or like posts for 12 hours.
He pointed out the suspension came “after @AP wrote a letter complaining about her,” adding: “Meanwhile, the Taliban livetweeted its conquest of Kabul.”
.@ChristinaPushaw says she has had her Twitter account limited / suspended for 12 hours — she was sent a notice she violated terms of use but wasn’t told which. This comes after @AP wrote a letter complaining about her. Meanwhile, the Taliban livetweeted its conquest of Kabul. pic.twitter.com/cOi2U6eyf3
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) August 20, 2021
Pushaw’s Twitter page remains open. Her timeline includes retweets expressing views similar to Dunleavy’s, including several comparing the response to her and her followers’ attacks on Farrington with events in Afghanistan.
Her most recent tweet, pinned atop her page, shares an article by nonprofit fact-checking website PolitiFact, which rated the AP story “mostly false.”
A closer inspection of the PolitiFact article shows the “mostly false” rating was given not to the AP story but to an Instagram post. Politifact quoted the Instagram post as saying: “‘The second-largest investor in Regeneron’ is a firm whose CEO is Ron DeSantis’ ‘number one political donor.'”
That assertion appears nowhere in Farrington’s AP story.
40 comments
Taliban loves twitter
August 20, 2021 at 9:29 pm
Twitter suspends Pushaw and Trump. Meanwhile the Taliban tweet away. Un freaking believable.
Jerry
August 20, 2021 at 10:15 pm
Yet Twitter allows the Taliban to continue tweeting.
What a joke!
Twitter, Google, and Facebook better hope DeSantis doesn’t win the White House. He’s going to take Big Tech down. And they need to be. Time for some big antitrust lawsuits.
Tom Palmer
August 21, 2021 at 9:03 am
Despite their other shortcomings, the Taliban does know how to behave on Twitter, so it’s a false equivalency
Robert F Schleppi
August 22, 2021 at 10:11 am
“Shortcomings” down plays the Taliban real nature.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 11:06 pm
Oh let’s get this straight.
AP writer, writes a slanderous story alluding corruption with no proof. Most local papers pick it up and it gets reprinted by other city dailies. And that’s OK. I would not advise any elected’s media Rep to do indirect or directly infer but where is the AP’s responsibility? Responsible journalism? What happened to the hoax 60 mints story/reporter? There is no accountability for fake media info. Twitter is a joke.
n
August 21, 2021 at 8:38 am
desantis received 10.25M on April 31 from person who is one of the largest shareholders of Regeneron. Then he goes on a 12 hr a day selling a reduced version of a med. where ppl are rolling on the floor in pain. These ppl belong in a hospital. Can’t wait to see the first lawsuits start rolling in against him.
His pay for play plan when FL first received the vax went to donors from NY and Canada first before any FL resident. A condo donated 250,000+5,000 from each condo and they had the vax delivered to the condo when ppl were waiting hrs in line for the vax. One of his donors wanted the vax, so he set up a pop up vax station while Publix was the only location to get a shot. They could not handle it so the govt stepped and and opened field locations handling thousands a day. Drs rented a bus to deliver the vax to remote vegetable field workers, because desantis would not.
Desantis has cut down on vax locations, has not prompted them and now he is promoting a end stage shot for when you have been infected. Why not promote the vax where if you do get Covid, it is very mild.
He decided his pocket is more important than the ppl of FL.
Alex
August 20, 2021 at 11:46 pm
Break the rules, get suspended.
So…….don’t break the rules.
Simple.
Don’t like it?
Change the Constitution so that the government can force individuals and private entities to say things that they like.
Simple, if you’re a far right ignoramus with zero understanding of the Constitution.
Good luck trying.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 11:57 pm
Your a Dum pud.Alex.
As if you understand anything.
You are a extremist, pud, racist.
You don’t believe in the Const. or Bill of Rights. Governor Ron ensures yours and all your other Manchurians compared to your Dum Govs.
DeSantis the best!
Alex
August 21, 2021 at 12:03 am
So you have nothing but your usual babble.
So what are you now?
4 or 5 time proven liar?
I keep forgetting.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 12:08 am
0 lies.
U racist, loser.
Stalker Fraud getting her A kicked!
And you.
It doesn’t end well for u with me Covid boy.
Alex
August 21, 2021 at 12:12 am
I went and looked it up.
5 times.
Poor little liar.
Now have a nice cry.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 7:00 am
You are just a hater Alex. U can’t handle truth.
You have one agenda, that’s hate on DeSantis ,Republicans. Days ago it was Trump, now you have refocused on America’s Gov. You are very jealous, petty and disillusioned. You have nothing to stand on. You just blah on masks and Covid. You are Covid deranged.
Understandably,
Team Biden collapsing with greatest foreign policy blunder in 50 to 75 yrs. Dem Govs corrupt and losing. Cuomo and Newsom. America’s Gov. DeSantis defeating the stalker N. Fraud.
You can’t defend Dems on failing economy, failing foreign policy or Covid.
You And Dems abandon Americans abroad. You abandon our streets to hoodlums, and abandon our border to illegals.
Truth sets you free you pud! Try it.
Alex
August 21, 2021 at 10:35 am
I don’t bother reading your replies anymore.
Same stupid fact free babble every time.
Boring.
Frank Thomnas
August 21, 2021 at 11:48 am
“Dum pud.Alex.”
Do you pick splinters out of your toes with your own teeth? I hear dueling banjos just from reading your attempts at grammar.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 3:48 pm
U do, please wipe your back pants as they are stained. Racist you are, like Alex. Frank Ass.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 10:54 am
Yes idiots like you can’t comprehend.
You must instruct teach Red Sonja.
No one cares what you say or think.
It’s illogical.
Baaaaa, Baaaa LMAO.
PeterH
August 21, 2021 at 2:33 am
IT’S CALLED GRIFTING……..DESANTIS AND TRUMP ARE PROFESSIONAL GRIFTERS
Turns out, Ron DeSantis’ whole “my freedoms” shtick was a con. Of course it was. The whole reason he’s been so anti-mask and vaccine mandates?
DeSantis has gotten over $10m in campaign funds from the biggest investor in Regeneron, a COVID treatment.
DeSantis knows he’s got to win his primary next year to have any shot at running for President. So he’s going full MAGA and getting people sick.
When people get sick, Regeneron makes more money.
When Regeneron makes more money, Ron DeSantis raises more campaign money.
Rinse and repeat.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 7:17 am
Hey Peter H.
Show the law and statute that you claim that’s been violated. Ken Griffin is a billionaire. He gives millions to Republican, conservative causes. He gives millions to top Repub candidates.
You are ailing with hate and can’t prove anything. Just because Griffin has stock in Renegeron does not mean anything. Trump adm. bought the Renegeron. It’s avail and it works you fool. America’s Gov. Is right to offer it. Period!
How ignorant are you. My gosh.
Tom Palmer
August 21, 2021 at 9:08 am
I agree. There was nothing illegal about the campaign contributions. The story tried to make the claim that the sudden emphasis by the governor on pushing their product was curious. However, Washington Post published an article asking why more people aren’t using this effective treatment. Insinuations are no substitute for facts.
23rd
August 21, 2021 at 9:32 am
Last I checked, WaPo wasn’t also fighting against mask rules or trash-talking the vaccine. DeSantis clearly only wants to promote the least effective and most expensive treatment, which happens to be the one that makes his biggest donor richer.
Anyone who says that isn’t a problem is straight up gaslighting in defense of government corruption and mismanagement. I never want to hear another word about “government waste” from these hypocrites.
James besurman
August 21, 2021 at 5:38 am
I’m sick of dems. And repubs. I’m ,68 and voted since 71 I will never vote again in America as it is today I’m not voting for any spoiled privileged politician acting like kids fighting over the last cookie I’m glad I’m Cherokee Indian I’m on my land Cherokee land the rest of this crazy world is not welcome unless u like nature the environment animals and don’t litter or polute I’m the f.b.i. on my land or my tribes land full blood indian and we are not so civilized like we used to be we will fight the white eyes for our land nation and way of life we won’t be moved anymore u trust the government just ask a Indian
Tracy Lee
August 21, 2021 at 12:49 pm
🤍🤍🤍
Andrew Finn
August 21, 2021 at 8:41 am
Oh my Twitter !!!!!! You are going to incur the wrath of Emperor DeSantis by doing that. He will issue another edict banning you from doing that and threaten to do things to you if you don’t bow and obey. —————– by the way – congratulations !!!!!!
Ron Ogden
August 21, 2021 at 10:17 am
Censors are the tools of autocrats.
Jmjusa
August 21, 2021 at 10:34 am
Someone has to defend these poor helpless AP hacks, after all, the “attack” is worse than the taliban!
Get a life
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 11:11 am
Thanks 23rd, Palmer.
Yes it was a Cheap hit piece.
AP Pres. should be more concerned about the content not just the press officer. I don’t condone targeting. Media must he accountable.
That story was unfair and not objective. It ran locally, state wide and nationally in email news.
60 mints unfair hit piece is another example.
Media has to be better. Palmer, also note that Gov holds events daily and takes 3 or 4 media Q’s regularly. He’s very accessible. Read Cortanos Tampa Times article on being fair. His opponents have no solutions. The hit piece allows haters like Alex, Peter H, Frankie, N above, Hoffmann and others to spew sick hate.
Thanks for being objective. Lost art.
Alex
August 21, 2021 at 11:33 am
Looks like every far right politician and news organization has a blonde bimbo attack dog who can’t keep it between the lines.
It’s hilarious.
Tom
August 21, 2021 at 1:54 pm
Yeah you dum “Dum” Cocoon liberal Alex.
Why do u think? You claim to be so smart, but you are really ignorant? So why you think?
The hatred, hostility, and dishonesty towards Repubs is monumental. It’s horrendous to deal with. Over 2/3 of the media are liberal advocates. They are confrontational in nature with conservatives and Repub office holders.
You gotta have brass kahones. Something you know nothing bout. . It takes catastrophe for the Leftist media to turn on their own. Ala, Cuomo with his sexual harassment/fondler and POTUS with his abandonment, once every 50 yrs foreign policy disaster. Go swim to Cuba, the socialists would love you. You have no clue just like Fraud stalker Fried and Crispy critters. Such a fool!
DeSantis the best, America’s Governor on angels wings. God Bless him Acad his family from the filth like you.
Anna
August 21, 2021 at 1:57 pm
My neighbor’s aunt makes 62 every hour on the internet..ppi she has been without work for eight months but the previous month her revenue was 19022 only working on the laptop 5 hours a day..
check this …… http://SwagTip.com
abert m
August 21, 2021 at 6:15 pm
Tom u shouldnt bother with that liberal demonrat . The majority of the media are left n write those hit jobs on people theyre afraid of. They know desantis will wipe the floor with them in 2022 in florida n be a frontrunner in 2024 thus all the attacks .
PeterH
August 21, 2021 at 6:19 pm
The majority of the media support Democracy and common sense. If you desire wingnuttery ….. you have Stormfront, Breitbart, “Q” Oann, Newmax and Faux News. Even the Wall Street journal has distanced itself from crazy and stupid. Come here to Florida Politics and expect exactly what you and your ilk deserve.
Tom
August 23, 2021 at 9:17 pm
Yeah right, LMAO.
You are such a child Peter H.
abert m
August 21, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Your a moron the media is alway been left but idiots like u only like democracy when it serves it purpose for ur outcome. My family fleed a dictatorship so i think i respect democracy as much as anybody here or more n just like is been happening here for a while in this country the mainstream media has turned into a propoganda arm of the DNC. Every poll ive seen has trust in media is in 20,s n low 30,s n thats sad thus leading to the birth of newsmax n other rightwing networks that i personally dont watch!!!
Brian S.
August 21, 2021 at 10:29 pm
Are you people really calling him “Americas Governor”..? Obviously you have not had to deal any of his policy’s in real life. Try having your UI money yanked out from under you, try not catching the china virus while picking your kids up from class and I can go on and on. Any person who wishes to express an argument for or against this governor should first be verified as a person that has been positively or negatively affected by his actions.
Tom
August 22, 2021 at 12:20 am
Of course the UI benefits should be dropped. Not needed, go to work period.
Yes, of course DeSantis is America’s Governor. Who do you think? Cuomo the fondler. He’s DeSantis, the best!
Andrew Finn
August 23, 2021 at 8:28 pm
DeSantis as “America’s Governor” ???? Heard and read that one before, but then again in 1938 Time Magazine selected Hitler as “Man of the Year” and then went on to select Stalin twice !!
Tom
August 23, 2021 at 9:15 pm
Finn, you have Covid brain.
Alex Is a loser. You and Red Sonja are related. Frankie, Tjb, Hoffmann, jim Abbott/Costello, little boy PeterH, whiskey lush, ocean joe, come one, come all.
Manchurians, I suffer you gladly.
I pity the fools. LMAO.
Hey Tom
August 23, 2021 at 3:41 pm
You keep mentioning this product called “60 mints”. I’m dying to try them so I wonder if you can tell us “wear thay kin bee bot”.
Tom
August 23, 2021 at 9:09 pm
You are a dumb idiot.
So you fool, you don’t know bout 60 mints smear? On America’s Governor.
Please, go scratch Schumer’s bald head. U Moron. Alex is a loser.
LMAO.
Alex
August 24, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Lol
Comments are closed.