‘A Disgusting and Absolute Failure of Leadership’: Crist Calls Out DeSantis for Failure to Condemn Antisemitic Comments

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was at Saturday’s game when the offensive message was projected, has not offered comment.

“I am disgusted and horrified at the hateful, antisemitic rhetoric that was displayed in Jacksonville this weekend,” Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist declared after an antisemitic message was reportedly projected onto the TIAA Bank Field stadium following the Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville.

The message appears to be in support to remarks made by rapper Kanye West, who now goes by the name Ye, and recently made a series of similar remarks, including that he was “going death con 3 on Jewish people.” 

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The message that was shared toward the end of the game between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday read: “Kanye is right about the Jews.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was at Saturday’s game, has thus far not offered comment. This prompted Crist to strongly call out the Republican incumbent for his refusal to condemn the aggression.

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“While antisemitism is spreading in our state, Governor DeSantis refuses to condemn it – even when it’s broadcast on the side of a stadium he is in,” Crist said. “It’s a disgusting and absolute failure of leadership.”

Reported antisemitic incidents rose in all 50 states by 61% in 2021, according to the Jewish civil rights Anti-Defamation League group.

After the football game, similar messages were broadcast on the stadium and other downtown buildings. However, this incident follows a spate of similar attacks on the Jewish people in the Sunshine State. Antisemitic messages were reported on an overpass on I-10 in western Duval County, and another one surfaced on Arlington Expressway, praising Kanye West for being “right about the Jews.”

“Hate should have no home in Florida, period,” Crist asserted.