DeSantis Refocuses Attention On Vital Issues Amid Boot Controversy

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is addressing recent online chatter about his height and his choice of footwear with a firm reminder that there are more pressing matters facing the United States. During an interview with Newsmax’s Eric Bolling, the GOP presidential candidate expressed frustration with those who seem fixated on his boots rather than the critical challenges the nation confronts.

DeSantis Mocks Those Focusing On His Boots: ‘This Is No Time For Foot Fetishes,’ U.S. Faces Serious Issues https://t.co/MeBAPrxdz7 pic.twitter.com/zrjQEnTuwB

— Daily Wire News (@DailyWireNews) November 3, 2023

In recent days, critics of the Republican presidential candidate have drawn attention to his boots, with some speculating that he may be wearing lifts in his boots to appear taller. This prompted Bolling to question their priorities, saying, “There are these gotcha people, these people who just want to sit there and they want to talk about how tall you are, whether you’re wearing boots with heel extenders inside. I mean, Governor, the southern border is a disaster, terrorists are coming across the border. We got two wars that we’re kind of funding, and they want to talk about how tall you are. Respond please.”

DeSantis wasted no time in steering the conversation back to the substantial issues at hand. Look Eric, this is no time for foot fetishes,” he stated. 

“We’ve got serious problems as a country. We’ve got war in the Middle East, we’ve got terrorists coming across our own southern border, we have an American dream that’s out of reach for millions of Americans because of the Bidenflation and the high energy prices. We’ve got schools that are indoctrinating kids and not educating kids, and we’ve got cities that are being overrun by crime,” he said further.

Throwing a jab at former President Donald Trump and his supporters, he added, “I know Donald Trump and a lot of his people have been focusing on things like footwear. I’ll tell you this, if Donald Trump can summon the balls to show up to the debate, I’ll wear a boot on my head.”

For DeSantis, what truly matters is “substance,” as he emphasized that the American people deserve to know which candidate is best equipped to lead the country forward. 

“Are you able to fight for them? Which we have done in Florida. Are you able to win those fights?” he asked, pointing to a proven track record in Florida and a promise to “do that for the United States of America.”

DeSantis’ reference to Trump came after Trump’s campaign accused DeSantis of engaging in “borderline psychotic behavior by lying to the American people” about his boots. The campaign had called the governor’s insistence that his boots are “standard” and “off-the-rack Lucchese” a “major brand damage to a great American footwear company.”

Despite his efforts to debunk the claims, the chatter surrounding his boots has gained widespread attention, as the topic has even made its way to TikTok, where users have shared their opinions on the issue, garnering millions of views. 

Menswear expert Derek Guy and radio host Charlamagne tha God have weighed in on the discussion, with Guy confirming the rumors and Charlamagne humorously linking DeSantis’s boots to his stance on Disney’s height requirements for certain rides.