Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will sign a bill banning sex change surgeries for minors when the state legislative session draws to a close on Friday.
The bill passed by the Florida legislature on Thursday would prohibit doctors from giving medications to minors or performing state-funded “gender-affirming” medical procedures if they are under 18 years of age.
‘Honestly, it’s like, seriously, some of this stuff is totally fabricated. And when you talk to people, and I know people in your industry will dress it up with a euphemism, and say it’s health care, cutting off the private parts of a 14- or 15-year-old kid,” DeSantis said.
‘That’s not medical care. That’s mutilation and we’re opposed to that,” DeSantis said Friday, the last day of the state’s legislative session.
The governor has long been expected to officially announce his intention to run for president in 2024 once the state’s legislative session ends, so an official announcement could be just around the corner.
He addressed speculation about his plans for 2024, saying on Friday: ‘What happens in the future? We will deal with that relatively soon. You either have to put on or shut that up too. So we’ll see.
‘That’s not medical care. That’s mutilation,” DeSantis said Friday, the last day of the state’s legislative session.
Florida’s Republican supermajorities in the state legislature pushed many of DeSantis’ flagship priorities
On Friday, DeSantis appeared to be speaking to the “corporate media,” whom he regularly criticizes for changing the narrative on issues he says they disagree with.
State Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Republican and co-sponsor of the bill, said children “need to get to a point where they realize their gender and can accept themselves.”
Florida’s Republican supermajorities in the state legislature pushed many of DeSantis’ distinctive priorities iincluding the expansion of a law to cover all public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
He also signed laws banning abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy and allowing concealed carry in Florida.
The governor is also expected to sign legislation banning diversity, equity and inclusion at state universities.
“After a historic election cycle, we seized the opportunity to deliver on our promises and delivered unprecedented results for Floridians this legislative session,” DeSantis said Friday.
‘We’ve secured $2.7 billion in tax cuts, and the legislature has passed countless legislative priorities that will improve the lives of Florida families. Thank you Legislature for such a productive session.’
Former President Donald Trump, who announced his re-election bid last November, has already spoken out against DeSantis, even though he is not officially in the race.
It has been reported that DeSantis, now that the legislative session is over, will make his official presidential candidacy announcement in June.
Former President Donald Trump, who announced his re-election bid last November, has already spoken out against DeSantis, even though he is not officially in the race.
Trump urged DeSantis not to run against him in 2024 because he is not doing well in the polls, will split the Republican party and “lose the precious and massive” MAGA vote.
The former president also called DeSantis “young” and suggested he could have a brighter political future if he remains Florida’s governor through the end of his second term in 2026.