AreaRead the video transcript here
Elon Musk, Twitter CEO:
"Are you there? Can you hear us?"
Ron DeSantis, Republican presidential candidate:
"I'm here!"
That's what it sounded like when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was about to announce his U.S. presidential candidacy for next year. There wasn't much to see and the sound didn't really go well either.
The Republican wanted to announce his candidacy in a very innovative way via audio stream on Twitter. But the joint stream, which was also attended by Twitter boss Elon Musk, was a bit bumpy at first.
Elon Musk, Twitter CEO:
"There are 380,000 people on it. «
Another voice:
"Great! Then we'll see.«
Elon Musk, Twitter CEO:
"I think we just have an insane amount of people online, so the servers are a bit overwhelmed."
After several interruptions and a restart, it finally worked. But if you wanted to see DeSantis, you could only do so in the promotional video published – and pre-produced – by his campaign team at the same time. That suits him: DeSantis avoids crowds, his press conferences are strictly controlled, and he does not allow critical interviews.
Ron DeSantis, Republican presidential candidate
"The truth must be our foundation. And common sense can no longer be an unusual virtue. In Florida, we proved that it is possible: We chose facts over fear, education over indoctrination, law and order over turmoil and disorder. We need courage to lead and strength for victory. I'm Ron DeSantis, and I'm running for president to lead our great American comeback."
DeSantis' candidacy has met with fierce opposition from Democrats and civil rights activists in the United States. In several cities, such as here in Miami, people spontaneously took to the streets against DeSantis after the announcement. Members of the LGBTQ community, in particular, are always appalled by the statements made by the governor of Florida – including his audio stream with Elon Musk.
Jupiter Peraza, Trans Voter
»Excuse my language, but that was just bullshit. None of what he said was true, in my opinion. It was very painful to listen to someone who is entering the race for the presidency and who makes a lot of remarks that are simply not based on the truth. Although at the same time he claims that he is campaigning on the basis of facts and truth."
The conservative hardliner repeatedly rails against liberal America, even portraying it as a threat.
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
: "We are fighting the woken in the legislature. We are fighting woken in schools. We are fighting the woken in the corporations. We will never surrender before the mob of woks. Florida is the place where wokeness dies."
And when it comes to migration and foreign policy, DeSantis also leaves little room for interpretation as to where he stands.
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida
"I think we need a strong immigration policy. We are not citizens of the world. We are American citizens. It means something."
Accordingly, DeSantis has many supporters in the camp of the political right. According to polls, the 44-year-old is currently considered the most promising contender for the presidential candidacy of the opposition Republicans for 2024, along with former President Donald Trump. Even though the Internet community then made fun of DeSantis on Twitter under the hashtag "#DeSaster", his followers are certainly still behind him.
Elon Musk, Twitter CEO
»Are you there? Can you hear us?"
Ron DeSantis, Republican presidential candidate
»I'm here!«
Elon Musk, Twitter CEO
»I think you broke the internet! We had more than half a million people in a Twitter space. And there were 50,000 more every minute. So, congratulations, you've broken the Internet."