Challenges Faced by Ron DeSantis: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Ron DeSantis's life and career.

Ron DeSantis is an American politician, attorney, and former naval officer. He has served as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019. A Republican, DeSantis previously represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. He briefly ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before withdrawing from the race.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

March 2020: Start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida

From March 2020 through March 22, 2023, scientists and media outlets initially gave mixed reviews of DeSantis's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 2020: Order to extend unemployment waivers

In December 2020, DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021. By the end of 2020, the Cato Institute graded DeSantis "B" in its biennial fiscal policy report on America's governors.

February 27, 2021: Extension of unemployment waivers

In December 2020, DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to extend unemployment waivers until February 27, 2021, to help residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Florida's age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate in 2021

As of 2021, Florida's age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate was roughly near the median among states, taking into account its disproportionately elderly population.

April 2022: DeSantis signs bill eliminating Disney's special independent district act

In April 2022, DeSantis signed a bill eliminating Disney's special independent district act and replacing its Disney-appointed board of overseers, escalating the dispute between Disney and the state government.

July 1, 2022: Enforcement of abortion law blocked

The 15-week abortion ban law was expected to go into effect on July 1, 2022, but a state judge blocked its enforcement, ruling that it violated the right to privacy guaranteed by the Florida Constitution.

September 2022: DeSantis declares state of emergency for Hurricane Ian

In September 2022, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida as Hurricane Ian approached and requested federal aid in advance of the storm.

2022: Study places Florida's COVID-19 death rate in 2022

A 2022 study placed Florida's age-adjusted COVID-19 death rate at the nation's 12th lowest.

2022: Criticism of Crist's Attendance

During the 2022 campaign trail, DeSantis criticized Crist's role as a U.S. representative, and at the debate said that Crist showed up for work for only 14 days during 2022.

2022: Gaffe in Fox News Interview

In 2022, looking back at a Fox News interview after his primary win, DeSantis's use of the word "monkey" received widespread media attention, and was interpreted by some as a racist dog whistle alluding to the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Andrew Gillum, who is African-American. DeSantis denied the racism charge, his spokesperson said the comment was only about policy and to characterize it as anything else is absurd.

March 22, 2023: Florida's COVID-19 cases and deaths data through March 22, 2023

From March 2020 through March 22, 2023, Florida had the 12th-highest rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths per 100,000 people among the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

April 26, 2023: Disney files lawsuit against DeSantis

On April 26, 2023, Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and others, accusing them of retaliating against protected speech.

January 31, 2024: Disney's lawsuit against DeSantis dismissed

On January 31, 2024, the lawsuit filed by Disney against DeSantis was dismissed, although Disney vowed to appeal the decision.

March 27, 2024: Disney settles pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis

On March 27, 2024, Disney settled its pending state court lawsuits with DeSantis. Per the agreement, Disney put the appeal of its federal lawsuit on hold while a new development agreement with Florida was negotiated. No alterations to Disney's appeal of the federal lawsuit were made.

May 20, 2025: Criminal investigation opened into allegations against DeSantis's former chief of staff

On May 20, 2025, State Attorney Jack Campbell opened a criminal investigation into allegations of money laundering and wire fraud surrounding the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds involving DeSantis's former chief of staff, James Uthmeier.

2025: Controversy over transfer of Medicaid settlement funds

During the 2025 legislative session, DeSantis and his former chief of staff, James Uthmeier, were involved in a controversy over the transfer of $10,000,000 from a Medicaid settlement to a political committee Uthmeier controlled, raising allegations of money laundering and wire fraud.