7 Questions for DeSantis as he returns to the mainstream media airwaves

Behind in the polls and attempting to reset his campaign, Ron DeSantis ventures into new territory on Tuesday in a scheduled sit-down interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on the network the governor has derided as inherently “untrustworthy” and part of the “corporate media.”

It’s a markedly different approach for the governor, who for the last five years has both bashed and ignored non-partisan media outlets. Since launching his national book tour in February and announcing his campaign in May, DeSantis has spent time on right-wing podcasts and courted conservative Fox News hosts. Until agreeing to sit down Tuesday with Tapper, he had not granted an extensive interview to any Florida-based or national mainstream news organization.

As governor, DeSantis’ communications team routinely sends private invitations to his news conferences to a selective list of conservative media outlets, while giving the mainstream media just hours of advance notice, public records show. And the governor has departed from his predecessors in Florida by routinely holding bill-signings behind closed doors with a hand-picked audience.

“The corporate media has gotten a lot wrong, and many outlets have an agenda,” DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin told the New York Post. “Therefore, we don’t consider them entitled to time or access. Nonetheless there are many good journalists and truth-seeking reporters, including in mainstream media outlets, and we will work with them on our terms. That’s always been the plan.”

The interview with Tapper — known for asking tough questions — will be followed next week with an interview with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly on her SiriusXM show. Earlier this year, Kelly accused DeSantis of “being afraid” to go on her show because she said she refuses to deliver soft-ball questions to presidential candidates.

As DeSantis avoided interviews, the list of questions for him about his policies and proposals has been mounting. Here is a sampling of questions DeSantis has yet to answer:

Illegal Immigration:

Recently, you unveiled a border security plan that, in your words, would follow “appropriate rules of engagement” allowing U.S. personnel to shoot members of the drug cartel attempting to cross into the United States.

Can you explain how using lethal force would work in this situation? How would American officials determine who was working for the cartel and who was a migrant not connected to illegal drugs? And do you worry that shooting members of the cartel would put American law enforcement officials at risk of retaliation?

Insurance:

Florida’s insurance market is the worst in the nation, but other states, such as California and Louisiana, are facing similarly difficult conditions primarily brought on by natural disasters and rebuilding policies that fail to adequately address risk.

In the face of these vulnerabilities, why should we rebuild in high-risk areas? How can you tackle Florida’s challenge with sky-high insurance rates without acknowledging the risks of climate change?

China and Taiwan:

As recently as last week, you reiterated that China is the top threat to the U.S. And you have said that, as president, you would deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan through a show of strength.

But if China did invade Taiwan during your presidency, would you pledge – as President Joe Biden has – to defend it militarily? Would you be willing to risk open war with China?

Federal abortion rights:

You have said since announcing your presidential campaign that you think the federal government should have a role in regulating abortion nationally.

If Congress were to send you a bill banning the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy, would you sign it? What if Congress sent you a bill outlawing the procedure at 6 weeks, matching the law you signed in Florida earlier this year — would you sign that legislation?

Technology:

Your campaign posted Artificial Intelligence-generated images of Donald Trump hugging Anthony Fauci, and your super PAC uses an AI version of Trump’s voice attacking the former president.

What is your view of the proliferation of AI and should it be regulated by the federal government?

Anthony Fauci:

You have said repeatedly on the campaign trail that federal officials — including Fauci — should be held “accountable” for supporting economic and educational restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, warning that without accountability, they might try to impose those same restrictions in the future.

Can you explain specifically what you mean when you say you would hold them “accountable,” and whether you think further action should be taken against Fauci?

Gay Marriage:

For years, you have hailed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as your model for judicial appointments and promised to appoint more judges like him. Last year, Justice Thomas wrote in the court’s Dobbs decision that, in addition to abortion rights, the courts should also reconsider the right to same-sex marriage, which it made legal in 2015’s Obergefell decision.

Should the Supreme Court scrutinize the federal right to same-sex marriage?