Women's Tennis Star Coco Gauff Takes Aim at Ron DeSantis, Urges Young Voters To Go Out And Vote Lib
U.S. Open champion and Florida native Coco Gauff took some not-so veiled shots at her home state on the eve of her appearance at the French Open, criticizing Governor Ron DeSantis in the process.
The 20-year-old sensation was responding to a question from the Associated Press about the Sunshine State when she got political.
"We aren't happy with the current state of our government in Florida," Gauff said, "especially everything with the books and just the way our office operates."
Gauff went on to encourage young voters to go out and vote, and while she didn't suggest who to vote for, it seems she's interested in having a new governor in charge.
READ: LA Times Admits Florida May Have Handled COVID Better Than California
WATCH:
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 02: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates winning a point against Hailey Baptiste of the United States during Day 5 of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
DeSantis' office wasn't thrilled to have the tennis player criticize its positive work in recent years. Without addressing Gauff directly, a spokesperson for the Florida governor put out a reminder that the state continues to succeed under DeSantis.
In a statement sent to the Daily Mail, Deputy Press Secretary Julia Friedland touted Florida for its strong record with education and quality of living for Americans.
Without being coy about it, DeSantis' office wanted to call bluff on Coco Gauff's pointed comments.
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 19: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Unite and Win Rally in support of Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano at the Wyndham Hotel on August 19, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his visit to the state, DeSantis urged Republican voters to stand behind Doug Mastriano. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Coco Gauff of The United States celebrates after winning match point against Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania during their Women's Singles Second Round match on day four of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
"It is definitely 'a crazy time to be a Floridian,' with the number one economy in the nation, the best state for education and parental empowerment (with no banned books), record-breaking tourism, and being the number one destination for Americans leaving other states behind."
Gauff received attention in 2020, at the age of 16, when she delivered a speech supporting Black Lives Matter. BLM has been criticized for promoting identity politics, eventually becoming a stepping stone for today's promotion of DEI, a movement that doesn't promote equality but falls under the title of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.’
She previously declared that her generation's voice has not been reflected in government and looks forward to voting in the presidential election this year.
"I feel like sometimes in my generation, people think their vote doesn´t count," Gauff said before Delray Beach City Hall in 2020.
'We should just all just use our voices and use the power that we have," she added.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Since 2020, Americans have poured into Florida, seeking the hotbed of a more lax government.
Politically moderate or conservative citizens hoping to escape their previous city's heavy-handed progressive politics flocked to Florida.
The American tennis star denounced all recognition of Florida's hot streak under DeSantis, suggesting that his government promotes ‘book banning’ to paint a picture of tyranny.
DeSantis' government shined during the COVID era, starting in 2020, when the governor embraced opening up states. Citizens sided with DeSantis' conservative approach, but the general media and celebrity pool harped on DeSantis' record simply because he's Republican.
The perfect contrast with the COVID playbook and coverage was seen between Florida and California. As OutKick's Ian Miller previously wrote, "It's an inarguable truth that Florida handled COVID better than California did, despite what crude outcomes suggest. And the [L.A.] Times comes close to acknowledging it, becoming one of the first outlets to make the necessary adjustments for age. …
ROTHSCHILD, WISCONSIN - MAY 06: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Marathon County Lincoln Day Dinner annual fundraiser on May 06, 2023 in Rothschild, Wisconsin. Although he has not yet announced his candidacy, DeSantis is expected to be among the top contenders vying for the Republican presidential nomination next year. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
"The media's disinterest in telling the truth about COVID vaccine efficacy, mask efficacy and the absurdity of school closures and lockdowns allowed politicians like Newsom to continue his nonsensical policies for multiple years. Now while admitting Florida got some things right, they still refuse to criticize him for the authoritarian overreach. They'll never stop promoting their ideology over telling the full story."
In 2023, Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open, her first major win and earned $22.5 million. Since she burst onto the American and international tennis scene, Gauff's political platform has leaned heavily left. She is preparing to compete at Roland Garros in Paris starting on Sunday.
Gauff enters the French Open as the third-ranked player worldwide.
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