A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the need to “fumigate” the federal bureaucracy during a recent interview, citing the latest “Top Gun” movie to illustrate his point.
DeSantis, appearing on the Aug. 13 episode of the Glenn Beck Show, blasted the Department of Defense for not living up to the standards of the durable Tom Cruise franchise.
“DOD! I take my son to watch “Top Gun: Maverick,” right? And you’re proud of seeing the pilots and all that. Then in real life, what’s the Navy doing? They’re focusing on pronouns and all these other things, this woke garbage, while China’s laughing at us,” DeSantis lamented.
DeSantis said that “10 years ago, if you’d asked (him) about the Department of Education, EPA, IRS,” he would have agreed with Beck about their superfluous nature.
“I would have been right there with you,” DeSantis assured the interviewer.
But that wasn’t the case with the Department of Defense.
“If you had asked me about DOD or the FBI or some of those, you know, I was in the military. I worked with some of these people. I would have said, ‘No, those are good.’ I can’t think of any agency that is performing to the benefit of the American people,” DeSantis added.
DeSantis has used the Top Gun reboot as a refrain at more than one public appearance this year, even before seeing the flick.
“I do want to see it at some point. I think it’s just, you know, it’s like any movie that’s not, like, overwhelmingly woke can actually appeal to normal people,” DeSantis said on June 9.
Later that month, he invoked the movie in contending he doesn’t poll.
“Too many politicians, they get paralyzed by these polls,” he continued. “A leader needs to understand where ‘true north’ is. You know, have you guys seen ‘Top Gun: Maverick‘? The Navy, like, we always know where true north is … these ships are out there, you’ve got these planes landing on the carrier, the jets,” DeSantis said, calling their efforts “really impressive” in remarks to the Boys State Program.
The DeSantis political operation also has pushed tribute merchandise, including black-and-white T-shirts ($30), posters ($25), and koozies (two for $15).
For DeSantis, the brand synergy has offered a convenient narrative hook. DeSantis was a commissioned U.S. Navy JAG Officer deployed in the Global War on Terror as an adviser to a U.S. Navy SEAL Commander in support of the SEAL mission in Iraq, where DeSantis earned a Bronze Star.
20 comments
woke wook
August 15, 2022 at 9:26 am
Rona – Do you even know what “woke” means? Do you know that we live in the real world and not a movie? Don’t you feel ashamed about bashing our armed services? Why can’t you spend your time on representing Floridians? We have a real property insurance crises, Dude. Many residents are living in poverty, Man. Many of our waterways are polluted, Gov. How can you justify your time spent out of State, campaigning for Election deniers? Or appearances on Fix Entertainment? Rona, I’m WOKE to you and your BS! Your lust for power and being president is sickening. Why not spend your time doing the job for which you are paid a salary by the taxpayers of Florida? If I had a dollar for every time you used the term “woke” then I would be able to retire in style. The term is not properly used to race bait, dummy. So, please just stop using woke already and start spending your energy helping to solve real problems facing Floridians. Please!
BuzzTruth75
August 16, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Hey woke woke,
You sound like a bitter person! You do know that in recent polling 18% of Americans rank Florida as their #1 choice to move too. Why? Because DeSantis didn’t shut the state down, he has kept Florida fiscally sound, and he has the back of both our police personnel and parents with kids in school. You on the other hand, sound like a bitter person that would be better off leaving for NY or Illinois. See ya!
James R. Miles
August 18, 2022 at 7:23 pm
People have been moving to Florida for the last 70plus years, and it is NOT because of DeSatan!! You sound like an idiot. DeSatan is the worst Governor Florida has ever had, hands down. He has made Floridah the land of the ignorant! You are living proof!
Me
August 23, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Thank you for repying to Mr Woke Woke! An imbecile at best! Desantis has done more for Florida than any Governor across the country! At least our state is safe and not overrun by criminals as well. Mr woke move to NY or CA I think you will be more comfortable there!
Manuel Ramos
August 15, 2022 at 11:11 am
After their manufactured crisis in Washington DC on January 6th you would think that Republicans would be more supportive and sensitive to our men and women in uniform. I’m certain that sensitivity training is a very small part of military preparedness. I’m done voting for Republicans. America cannot survive with Republican politicized leadership. Manuel Ramos
marylou
August 15, 2022 at 3:28 pm
Now Ron wants to Defund the Military! Ron DeSantis was not a Navy SEAL —-he merely worked with Navy SEALS. As a CO, Ron was the Assistant Urinalysis Coordinator, where he tested service-people’s urine. Ron then prosecuted Court Martial cases against enlisted personnel. Ron also monitored the missions of Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets in his jurisdiction to ensure they followed and adhered to the rule of law. As a politician Ron voted against the Veterans’ Equal Access Amendment that would give veterans access to medical marijuana recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor. Time to kick Ron out of doctor—-patient health choices. Time to kick him out of Tallahassee! Vote Blue!
BuzzTruth75
August 16, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Yes vote blue and continue the absolute destruction of the United States!
James R. Miles
August 18, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Vote Red to destroy Democracy in America and turn America intro an authoritarian fascist state. The GOP hates Democracy which is why they tried to overthrow the U.S. Government on Jan. 6, 2021. The lawless GOP is a threat to the USA!! There is crime everywhere and to blame the Dems is just a cop out!! Look for the real reason!
Impeach. Iden
August 21, 2022 at 9:56 pm
Just exactly how were these people going to overthrow the government armed with backpacks and cell phones? Yes the protest got carried away but there was no chance in hell they were going to overthrow.
Curtis Conway
August 16, 2022 at 7:36 pm
WHY would ANYONE vote Blue? Every major city governed by blue is rampant with crime, and rapidly turning into a basket case that everyone (except for those who can’t) are leaving. High taxation, and less emergency services provided every day, and prospects for the future getting lower with every day . . . unless something changes. Doing the same thing day after day and expecting a different result is . . . INSANITY!
Impeach Biden
August 20, 2022 at 10:03 am
You know absolutely nothing about the military and you are obviously clueless with respect to the UCMJ. The UCMJ does not discriminate and can be harsh with respect to the “legal system” in the civilian sector. If you abide by the rules you will be fine.
Impeach Biden
August 20, 2022 at 10:04 am
That was directed to Mary Lou.
elchucko
August 23, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Me thinks you’re full of ka ka.
Just a comment
August 15, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Top gun is a love story totally fiction
Frankie M.
August 15, 2022 at 8:24 pm
Top Gun the movie is very homoerotic just like the military. Maybe that’s why Ronnie likes it so much?
Richard Bruce
August 15, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Homophobe. The US military is so powerful because post-Trump service heads are spending vital resources ensuring LBQGT+ are overrepresented in uniform. Diversity and equity strengthen our respect in the modern world.
Frank Martin
August 16, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Diversity doesn’t do jack for anything, most especially military readiness and warfighting. Equity? Only applies in real estate. Lol. The very near future holds many negative surprises for our country, we’ve become arrogant and overbearing on the world stage. I’m a vet, father of a vet & my family is done sending our sons to fight for our corrupt government under either party. Unless they’re invading us, the Diversity corps is on their own.
BuzzTruth75
August 16, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Project much!
Just a comment
August 17, 2022 at 7:26 pm
I really would like to hear about falling into the cracks of this everlasting economy
I would like to hear about maintaining our freedom’s
I would like to hear about heart and opportunity to live if you work in this economy.
Something other then top gun
Bill proud American at 91 I'm a survivor
August 18, 2022 at 8:33 am
Why can’t we just be Americans that love this country more than some political view that is always bent to I’m right you’re wrong
Comments are closed.