Why Is Ron DeSantis Mocking Fauci? Campaign Merch Tells Doc To ‘Pound Sand’

Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, has rolled out new campaign merchandise that takes aim at White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The flip-flops merchandise has “Freedom from Fauci” emblazoned on the straps and the words “Pound Sand” written on its soles in what may be DeSantis’ message to the nation’s top infectious disease expert. The new campaign merch is being sold on the 43-year-old governor’s “Official Ron DeSantis Store.”

A promotional video released Friday by the Florida governor’s campaign team said the flip-flops represented Fauci’s “flip-flopping” opinions about COVID-19 restrictions, such as masks, vaccines, lockdowns, school closures and social distancing.

DeSantis’ official campaign store also sells other Fauci-themed merchandise, including “Don’t Fauci My Florida” beer koozies.

DeSantis is currently campaigning to be reelected for a second term as governor, but he lacks a clear political opponent. However, he appears to have created one out of Fauci, who he blames for letting restaurants “wither on the vine” due to COVID-19 lockdowns and for choosing to trust China’s coronavirus data, he previously told students and business leaders.

The 43-year-old had also suggested that Fauci should be prosecuted and put in prison for supposedly lying to Congress about his role in the funding of Gain of Function research, he said in a fundraising email sent out in early December 2021.

There was no evidence found that Fauci and nongovernmental organization EcoHealth Alliance funded the research.

The Florida governor is also seen as one of the front-runners for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. One key part of his pitch is how he resisted stricter measures even as COVID-19 spread across his state.

The Florida governor has gained popularity amid the pandemic after he repeatedly flouted COVID-19 guidance that Fauci and other health experts in the scientific community have advised. DeSantis fought against mitigation measures such as masking, vaccine mandates and shutdowns. He also earned praise from Republicans after he fought to keep Florida’s schools and economy open despite calls from public health experts.

DeSantis’ new merch comes as the seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases in Florida continues its three-week decline, falling to 21,715 as of Wednesday. The figure is the lowest level recorded since Dec. 24.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Florida has reported a total of 5,555,874 cases and 65,271 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.