Fact check: What did Ron DeSantis actually say about protesters and vehicles in Florida?

1. Summary of the results

Ron DeSantis made specific statements about drivers' rights when confronted by protesters, stating that if drivers feel threatened by a "mob" surrounding their vehicle, they have a "right to flee" even if that means hitting protesters in the process ^[1]. He explicitly framed this as the protesters' fault for "impinging" on the driver, saying drivers shouldn't be a "sitting duck" ^[2]. The statement was made during an appearance on The Rubin Report ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The most crucial missing context is the actual legal framework versus DeSantis's characterization:

• While DeSantis presented this as blanket protection, the 2021 law actually only provides an affirmative defense in civil lawsuits, not complete immunity ^[3]
• Drivers can still face criminal prosecution, particularly if they hit non-violent protesters ^[3]
• DeSantis framed this as an extension of Florida's "stand your ground" principle to roadway situations ^[4]

It's important to note that DeSantis never explicitly used phrases like "drive over" or "run over" protesters ^[5], though his comments effectively suggested drivers could hit protesters if they felt threatened.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Several potential biases and misleading elements emerge from the analyses:

1. Political Framing:

• DeSantis's characterization benefits his political position by appearing tough on protesters while appealing to his base's concerns about civil unrest
• The use of loaded terms like "mob" ^[1] creates a narrative that benefits those seeking to delegitimize protests

2. Legal Misrepresentation:

• DeSantis's statements could mislead Florida residents about their actual legal protections
• The gap between his rhetoric ("zero-tolerance policy" p1_s2) and the actual legal nuances ^[3] could lead to dangerous misunderstandings
• Law enforcement and legal professionals would likely emphasize the more nuanced reality that each case would be evaluated based on specific circumstances

The statement requires careful consideration of both the political context and the actual legal framework, rather than taking the governor's statements at face value.