Former President Donald Trump’s rally in Sarasota scheduled for Saturday continues despite a report that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ workplace has called for the occasion to be postponed as the governor responds to the occasion that claimed many lives on Surfside.
A report published Wednesday in the conservative Washington Examiner says the governor has made a “direct call” to Trump’s team to cancel the rally, citing unidentified sources.
The governor’s workplace aired Wednesday denying that DeSantis needs to postpone the rally, and Florida REPUBLICAN Party Executive Director Helen Aguirre Ferré, who was the governor’s communications director in the past, said the rally was going as planned.
“We are excited about the rally,” Ferré said. We welcome the president and the collection aims to celebrate the foundation of our wonderful country on July 4th. Florida is an open state and we are able to celebrate.
The governor’s workplace said Wednesday in a statement that DeSantis “is focusing on his duties as governor and on the Surfside tragedy, and has never warned or asked for the occasions planned in other parts of Florida, from the Stanley Cup final to President Trump’s rally. , they deserve to be”cancelled. “
“You need all Floridians to enjoy the holiday weekend and celebrate Independence Day as they see fit, while keeping the families in the surf area and lifeguards in their prayers,” he continued.
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Trump’s rally would likely be noted by some as too political at a time when another 16 people have been pronounced dead and 147 still missing after a condo collapsed in South Florida.
DeSantis is a close best friend of Trump’s who has attended beyond rallies and whose presence on such occasions would be expected. If the best friend progresses, he will have to decide between rejecting a mentor or participating in a blatantly partisan event, even as the death toll on Surfside continues to rise.
Asked if DeSantis would attend the rally, Ferré said, “I don’t give the governor’s program, so I can’t communicate it. “
DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said she “does not participate in political programming activities. “
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Ferré noted that the Florida Republican Party had donations for Surfside’s relief effort and said it would continue.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of the surf shore,” Ferré said, adding, “There are no words to express the sadness and pain we all feel for this tragedy. All we can do is look for more opportunities to communicate about this. tragedy and, as families combine and have interaction during this long holiday weekend, to give them the opportunity to inspire them to give a contribution to those who suffer and their families. “
The rally is billed as a joint occasion organized through Trump and the Florida Republican Party, which has planned a funder to budget for the 2022 election.
Trump is scheduled lately to speak at 8 p. m. , with fireworks at 9 p. m.
Follow herald-tribune political editor Zac Anderson on Twitter at @zacjanderson. You can be contacted at zac. anderson@heraldtribune. com