Ron DeSantis car accident - latest: Campaign fires staffer over Nazi meme as animal blamed for motorcade crash
Ron DeSantis was in a car crash while on his way to a fundraiser in Tennessee. The Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate was uninjured in the Tuesday morning incident. “We appreciate the prayers and well wishes of the nation for his continued protection while on the campaign trail,” spokesperson Bryan Griffin said in a statement. Mr DeSantis was set to attend fundraisers in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville on Tuesday as his campaign is reported to be floundering both in terms of funding and poll numbers. Meanwhile, the governor’s presidential campaign continues to suffer internal turmoil. A staffer was recently fired for posting a video using Nazi imagery superimposed on Mr DeSantis’s face. Read More Ron DeSantis in car crash as he heads to Tennessee campaign event DeSantis campaign fires aide behind neo-Nazi meme video Ron DeSantis is caught in a death spiral of his own making Ron DeSantis has already blown 40 per cent of his campaign donations – on private jets and fancy campaign dinners
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DeSantis campaign fires aide behind neo-Nazi meme video
A campaign staffer for Ron DeSantis who shared an online video using Nazi imagery with the Florida governor’s face has been fired. Nate Hochman, a 25-year-old campaign communications staff member who has written for The National Review and The New York Times, shared a video over the weekend to an anonymous pro-DeSantis Twitter account featuring a meme template that has been adopted by far-right and neo-fascist creators. The video shows a “wojack” character, unhappy with news footage of Donald Trump, watching the Florida seal turn into the Nazi-appropriated Sonnenrad symbol. Mr DeSantis is then seen superimposed on the icon in front of soldiers marching in formation. That video was then retweeted by Mr Hochman before it was deleted, according to posts reviewed by The Independent. Mr Hochman appears to have retweeted posts from the anonymous account at least six other times. “Nate Hochman is no longer with the campaign,” a spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign said in a statement to NBC News. “And we will not be commenting on him further.” Another clip on the anonymous account included audio of a man calling Mr DeSantis a “fascist” and cut together footage of the Florida governor alongside clips of Nazis and Benito Mussolini. The account also has been retweeted by the DeSantis campaign’s War Room account and the DeSantis-linked Never Back Down super PAC account. His departure also follows another video promoted by the DeSantis campaign that relies on the familiar aesthetics of far-right and neo-fascist memes to celebrate Mr DeSantis’s “draconian” anti-LGBT+ agenda and threat to “trans existence”. That video also was created by a campaign staffer but was made to appear as if it was produced externally, according to The New York Times. The videos have underscored the growing influence of fringe far-right online communities within mainstream Republican spaces, from the emergence of explicitly violent authoritarian “dark MAGA” memes to the dominance of “fashwave” aesthetics on social media platforms. The DeSantis campaign has fired more than 40 per cent of its original staff since launching his bid for the 2024 Republican nomination for president. At least 38 staffers have been laid off since the campaign’s launch in May, including at least 26 people on 25 July. Read More Ron DeSantis is caught in a death spiral of his own making DeSantis lays off a third of his campaign staff as presidential bid sputters Four cars in Ron DeSantis motorcade crash into each other on way to Tennessee fundraisers
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Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
Chiefs wideout Kadarius Toney was always going to be a liability on the 2023 roster. His recent injury just confirms that fact.Kansas City Chiefs wideout Kadarius Toney probably shouldn't have been talking so much smack before the 2023 season.Toney, who has struggled with lower-body inj...
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Chip Heavyweight Hynix’s Revenue Beats as AI Lifts Memory Demand
SK Hynix Inc. reported better-than-expected revenue, declaring the memory chip market is recovering because of surging interest in
1970-01-01 08:00
Godwin Emefiele's downfall: How Nigeria's bank boss ended up in court
The once-powerful bank chief is charged with illegally owning a shotgun, which he denies.
1970-01-01 08:00
Billionaire and Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis indicted in US for ‘brazen insider trading’
Joe Lewis, the UK billionaire and owner of the Tottenham Hotspur football club, has been indicted in the US for what officials called a “brazen” set of insider trading schemes. “He used inside information as a way to compensate his employees or shower gifts on his friends and lovers,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a video statement on Tuesday. “That’s classic corporate corruption,” he added. “It’s cheating, and it’s against the law.” The Independent has contacted Tottenham for comment, as well as Tavistock Group, the investment office founded by Mr Lewis. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
1970-01-01 08:00
Fed Set to Raise Rates to 22-Year High and Decide If It's Done Hiking
Federal Reserve policymakers are poised to hike interest rates to the highest level in 22 years, while retaining
1970-01-01 08:00
Senate Targets US Investments in China Through Key Defense Bill
The Senate attached a measure to the annual defense policy bill that would subject some US investments in
1970-01-01 08:00
Asian Stocks Set for Muted Open Before Fed Meeting: Markets Wrap
Asian markets are likely to be subdued Wednesday as investors await the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, with equity
1970-01-01 08:00
MLS transfer roundup: Sam Surridge signs for Nashville, Ayo Akinola joins San Jose on loan
All the latest transfer news in Major League Soccer.
1970-01-01 08:00
Three Teams Poised to Sell Big at the MLB Trade Deadline
The Cardinals, Cubs and White Sox looked poised to move a ton of players at the MLB trade deadline.
1970-01-01 08:00
LGBTQ+: When 15 rain-soaked marchers made history in India
In 1999, India's first Pride march was held in Kolkata - and the rest is history.
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