Fox News was the only news outlet allowed to cover Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of a controversial election-administration bill
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All media outlets except for Fox News were banned Thursday from covering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of Senate Bill 90, a controversial GOP-backed bill that will make major changes to voting and election administration.
The bill signing took place at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Reporters from local and national outlets who showed up to cover the event were turned away, and told that Fox News would be exclusively covering the bill signing.
The signing was aired solely on “Fox & Friends,” with no other TV cameras allowed, according to media outlets on the ground.
Prior to signing the bill, the “Fox & Friends” hosts asked DeSantis about topics including Caitlyn Jenner’s gubernatorial campaign in California and touted his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was flanked by a crowd behind him who cheered at his answers to the hosts’ questions and their praise of Florida’s COVID-19 policies.
Amy Gardner of The Washington Post said it wasn’t clear to her whether the bill signing was an official gubernatorial event or a campaign event.
Reporters who showed up at the event were told not to post about it on social media and were barred from entering the hotel where the event was taking place, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The voting law in question, Senate Bill 90, adds new restrictions on ballot drop boxes, requires voters to apply for mail ballots more frequently, bans election officials from accepting private grants to fund elections, and expands the zone outside polling places were the solicitation of votes is prohibited.