Ep 3. Ron DeSantis
- TVMA
- March 5, 2023
- 34 min
-
(273)
In the third episode of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver season 10, the focus is on Ron DeSantis, the current governor of Florida. Oliver delves into DeSantis' career, from his time in Congress to his election as governor, and examines some of his controversial policies and actions.
Oliver starts by highlighting the way DeSantis has handled the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. Despite rising cases and deaths, DeSantis has been reluctant to implement statewide mask mandates or take other significant measures to curb the spread of the virus. Instead, he has relied on individual responsibility and personal choice, even going so far as to ban local governments from imposing mask mandates.
Oliver also examines DeSantis' record on climate change, which has been similarly problematic. As a member of Congress, DeSantis voted to dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency and has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of climate change. More recently, he has been accused of stifling discussion about the topic among state employees.
Another issue that Oliver addresses is DeSantis' record on voting rights. Since taking office, DeSantis has signed several bills into law that make it more difficult for Floridians to vote, including requiring felons to pay off all fines and fees before regaining their right to vote. Oliver argues that these efforts are a transparent attempt to disenfranchise certain groups of voters, particularly people of color.
Throughout the episode, Oliver contrasts DeSantis' actions with his public image. DeSantis has often been praised by conservatives for his supposed "common sense" approach to politics, but Oliver argues that his policies are actually harmful to many Floridians. He also highlights DeSantis' close relationship with former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
As always, Oliver injects humor and wit into his critique of DeSantis. He jokes about DeSantis' frequent use of the phrase "don't fauci my Florida" and mocks his unflinching devotion to Trump. However, the overall tone of the episode is serious, and Oliver leaves no doubt that he believes DeSantis' policies are damaging to the people of Florida.
Overall, the third episode of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver season 10 is a scathing indictment of Ron DeSantis and his policies. Oliver presents a compelling case that DeSantis's approach to issues like the pandemic, climate change, and voting rights is deeply flawed and ultimately harmful to the people of Florida. It's an episode that is sure to spark discussion and debate, both within Florida and beyond.