Fox anchor says the network does not condone Ron DeSantis' racist remarks about Andrew Gillum, does not say what the comments were

Sandra Smith earlier stood by as DeSantis called Gillum “articulate” and said Florida shouldn't “monkey this up” by voting for the Black Democratic nominee

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

From the August 29 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom:

SANDRA SMITH (ANCHOR): A little while ago we had Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor in Florida, on for an interview to discuss the Florida election. During the interview he made what some are calling an inappropriate comment about his Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum. DeSantis has since clarified his comments in a statement, saying quote, “Ron DeSantis was obviously talking about Florida not making the wrong decision to embrace the socialist policies that Andrew Gillum espouses. To characterize it as anything else is absurd. Florida's economy has been on the move for the last eight years and the last thing we need is a far-left Democrat trying to stop our success.”

We do not condone this language and wanted to make our viewers aware that he has since clarified his statement. Also Mayor Gillum will be on with Shepard Smith today at 3:00 pm.

Previously:

Fox anchor ignores GOP's Florida gubernatorial candidate using racist code words about Black Democratic nominee