CBS News’ “60 Minutes” is doubling down on its smear of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), after receiving blowback from both Republicans and Democrats. The network selectively edited a clip of the governor’s response to an accusation by a reporter of engaging in a “pay to play” deal with Publix grocery stores. DeSantis’ administration and Publix partnered for vaccine distribution.
Despite the backlash from both parties, “60 Minutes” claims that the story was reported fairly.
New, extended statement from CBS/60 Minutes on @GovRonDeSantis segment: pic.twitter.com/hosHETJuTs
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) April 6, 2021
Democrat Mayor of Palm Beach Dave Kerner corroborated DeSantis' story about a partnership with Publix, and noted that "60 Minutes" declined to include his perspective. The network claimed that DeSantis was engaging in "pay to play" on account of the company's donations to his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
"Governor DeSantis came through for us...I was taken aback and I felt like I needed to speak out."
— Newsmax (@newsmax) April 6, 2021
Democratic Palm Beach Mayor Dave Kerner defends Governor Ron DeSantis after the 60 Minutes exposé. [with @JohnFBachman on Newsmax TV: https://t.co/VlT7z8v2lm] pic.twitter.com/8vPywW5TEF
DeSantis called the network’s accusation a “baseless conspiracy theory” that would be “easily debunked."
.@GovRonDeSantis on @TuckerCarlson "60 Minutes was here for three months trying to drudge up any dirt they could use to smear me and the best they could come up with, is a baseless conspiracy theory that was easily debunked." pic.twitter.com/LD18Ks79Pz
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 6, 2021