Randy Fine Pulls DeSantis Endorsement, Says Trump Better for Jews

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Florida Republican State Representative Randy Fine has withdrawn his endorsement of DeSantis for president and switched loyalties to Donald Trump. 

On Monday, Fine penned an op-ed in the Washington Times with the headline “Donald Trump has never let us down” where he was highly critical of DeSantis. 

Fine recounts how in the last 18 months – more specifically since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas two weeks ago – DeSantis’ “actions have broken my heart.” 

He states that he “got jumped by a Nazi in Florida” and that “In Ron DeSantis’ Florida, that’s no big deal.” Fine also noted how he sought expansion for a bill that would kick students out of school if the student asserted they wanted Jews “wiped off the earth.” Fine said DeSantis “shrugged it off.”  

Fine writes that “only actions will save us” and touts Trump’s history supporting Israel, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, supporting the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights and the Abraham Accords. 

“The past two weeks have made me realize our choice as Jews is simple,” Fine said.  “We can vote for the Governor who says all the right things, or we can vote for the President who actually does them. When it comes to action, Donald Trump has never let us down.” 

“SHAMEFUL POLITICAL THEATER”

Bryan Griffin, press secretary for Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, dismissed Fine’s flip.

“This is nothing more than shameful political theater at a time when Ron DeSantis is leading the charge to support Israel. From working to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, to combatting antisemitism throughout Florida and its schools, to securing funding for security at Jewish schools and synagogues, there’s never been a more pro-Israel Governor,” Griffin stated.

SIGNED FINE’S BILL INTO LAW

In April, DeSantis signed what Fine called the “the strongest antisemitism bill in the United States” which gives Florida authorities the ability to crack down on behavior perceived as motivated by religious or ethnic hatred. The law has received heavy criticism from free speech advocates, who claim that it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Fine was present when DeSantis signed the bill into law during a visit to Israel. 

When news broke of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, DeSantis also called out President Joe Biden for “sleeping on the job” when our “top ally in the Middle East is under the gun.”