Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has strongly criticized Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and current presidential candidate, for promoting a bizarre anti-LGBTQ+ video through his campaign’s Twitter account. The controversial clip, shared on June 30, highlights DeSantis’ history of enacting anti-LGBTQ+ policies and legislation, solidifying his stance on the matter.
The video opens with a series of clips portraying former president Donald Trump as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. It then includes a clip of Trump expressing his commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ citizens, a statement he made in the aftermath of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. However, the video takes a peculiar turn by featuring an edited image of Ron DeSantis with lightning emitting from his eyes, juxtaposing images of him marching alongside scenes from the film American Psycho, where the fictional character Patrick Bateman represents a distorted symbol of masculinity embraced by far-right groups.
Expressing his views during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Pete Buttigieg criticized the video, particularly the attempt to validate one’s masculinity by intercutting images of the candidate between oiled-up, shirtless bodybuilders. However, Buttigieg emphasized a larger concern surrounding the policies promoted by such campaigns, questioning who they truly aim to benefit.
The openly gay transportation secretary expressed his bewilderment regarding DeSantis’ strategy of targeting an already vulnerable community in America. Buttigieg stated, “I just don’t understand the mentality of somebody who gets up in the morning, thinking that he’s going to prove his worth by competing over who can make life hardest for a hard-hit community.”
Since declaring his presidential candidacy, DeSantis has intensified his opposition to what he perceives as ‘woke’ culture, particularly LGBTQ+ rights. This has resulted in the governor signing additional legislation that restricts the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, making their lives significantly more challenging. Consequently, various human rights groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, have urged LGBTQ+ Americans to exercise caution when traveling to Florida, highlighting the severity of the attack on queer individuals in the state.
As DeSantis continues to advocate against ‘woke’ culture, his campaign’s promotion of the divisive video raises concerns about the governor’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues. The backlash from figures like Pete Buttigieg underscores the ongoing struggle for equal rights and the need to challenge discriminatory practices in political campaigns and policies across the nation.