Speculation over Florida governor’s height-augmenting footwear leaves presidential campaign trampled underfoot.
The controversy over whether Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis wears lifts to adjust his height has exploded.
The issue was brought to the forefront following a recent appearance by DeSantis on the PBD Podcast, where host Patrick Bet-David addressed rumors circulating online suggesting the GOP governor is wearing boots on the campaign trail to present himself as taller.
“I’ve seen you walk with these boots,” Bet-David told the governor showing him viral photos and memes from social media users claiming DeSantis wears boots to increase his height.
“What they’re trying to say with this is that in your boots you have heels,” Bet-David explained.
“Why don’t you wear tennis shoes and dress shoes?” Bet-David asked DeSantis, or “Rob” as he’s affectionately referred to by Trump, after the governor claimed his height was 5’11.
“I do wear tennis shoes when I work out,” DeSantis responded.
“Okay. I got a gift for you I’d love for you to wear,” Bet-David continued, presenting the Florida governor with a new box of shoes, to which DeSantis replied, “I don’t accept gifts. I can’t accept it. I’m sorry.”
The embarrassing exchange was immediately seized upon by detractors of the Florida governor’s presidential campaign, citing it as proof he’s lying about using height-correcting footwear.
The incident sent the hashtag #Bootgate to trending status on the X social media platform, while Politico also dedicated an article to the controversy, claiming that “3 Expert Shoemakers Say Ron DeSantis Is Probably Wearing Height Boosters.”
The humiliating spectacle also sparked a string of memes, with many questioning if #Bootgate would finally sink the flagging campaign.
#Bootgate pic.twitter.com/g5PoE7iPRP
— Bryon Franzen (@bkfViking123) October 31, 2023
DeSantis supporters were also upset to have their candidates’ choice of footwear at the center of attention.
It’s unclear why DeSantis would wear lifts, or stilts. Many speculate he’s insecure about his actual height and is possibly attempting to even the playing field with GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, who towers at 6’3.
At any rate, #Bootgate does not appear to be helping DeSantis’ campaign, and even the Trump camp has released an official statement calling it the “kiss of death.”
“When asked directly about why his boots look like stilts, DeSanctus offered up the implausible explanation that he just wears off-the-rack Lucchese boots, doing major brand damage to a great American footwear company,” the Trump team wrote in a statement, asking if any intrepid journalists might seek a comment from the company.
“In another moment of insanity, Ron offered up the laughable claim that he’s 5’11,” the Trump camp’s statement continued.
“Instead of telling the truth and just being comfortable in his own skin, he resorts to borderline psychotic behavior by lying to the American people. Is that what this country wants in a president?”
Will the perception of being too short sink DeSantis’ campaign?
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