Gavin Newsom Challenges Ron DeSantis to Debate on CNN After Months of Attacks, Political Ads

This article contains the author’s opinion.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Friday challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to a debate after months of accusations and name calling. 

When he’s not busy masterminding new ways to make California as unappealing as possible, Gavin Newsome has taken to a new hobby: publicly criticizing Ron Desantis. Instead of working to address the myriad issues in his own state, the California Governor has been paying for anti-Desantis political ads in Florida and has even gone so far as to slander the Florida Governor as “bigoted”, an altogether unsurprising and unoriginal tactic. 

The most recent episode of this weird publicity production saw Newsome asking the feds on Thursday to intervene and investigate DeSantis for “kidnapping” after DeSantis sent 50 illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, an elite vacation spot where former President Barack Obama owns a $15 million home.

Newsom wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, saying:  

“In particular, I urge US DOJ to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducement would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws, which could serve as a predicate offense for charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) provisions of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970,”

DeSantis fired back Friday against Newsom’s letter to Garland, saying, “I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function.”

“So the governor of California sent a letter to the Department of Justice saying, ‘You need to prosecute Texas and Florida governors.’ And all I can say is, I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function,”

Florida’s @GovRonDeSantis on @GavinNewsom saying he should be investigated for kidnapping & trafficking for sending illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard. “I think his hair gel is interfering with his brain function.” pic.twitter.com/04stqE2G9k

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 16, 2022

Later that day, Newsome responded to Desantis’s quip by proposing that the two Governors debate each other before the midterm elections in November.  

Hey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you're struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people’s lives. Since you have only one overriding need — attention –let's take this up & debate. I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day. @CNN https://t.co/vTJHQxfArW

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 16, 2022

Newsome also recently agreed to debate his Republican challenger in California’s gubernatorial election, state Sen. Brian Dahle.

“Yeah, happy to do it and we’ll do it just as we did the last time I ran for office,” Newsom said when asked about the possibility of a debate with Dahle. “So, I look forward to it.”

It is unclear whether or not Desantis is interested in the proposed public spectacle.