TALLAHASSEE, FL — The political war between Governor Ron DeSantis and Washington Democrats took a theatrical turn yesterday as the Governor traded policy talk for a viral impersonation of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The jab came during a press conference in Ormond Beach, where DeSantis was celebrating the passage of Florida’s new congressional maps. Addressing Jeffries’ recent "F-around and find out" warning to Florida Republicans, DeSantis adopted a deepened tone and exaggerated gestures to mimic the New York Democrat.
"He goes out there and he’s like, ‘We’re gonna do maximum warfare against Republicans. Florida Republicans... you gonna find out,’" DeSantis told the laughing crowd.
The impersonation wasn’t just for kicks. It marks a sharp escalation in the battle over Florida’s redistricting. Jeffries’ House Democratic leadership PAC has pledged to spend a staggering $20 million in Florida to contest seats that Republicans have seemingly locked in with the new maps.
DeSantis, however, seems to be welcoming the fight. The Governor joked that he would personally pay for Jeffries’ plane ticket to campaign in the Sunshine State, claiming that the Congressman’s brand of national politics would only drive more Florida voters toward the GOP.
The response from the other side of the aisle was swift. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC slammed the Governor’s performance, accusing him of "unserious" behavior and "channeling" figures from the Jim Crow era.
Supporters of the Governor, however, are framing it as a masterclass in hitting back at D.C. overreach. As the 2026 election cycle heats up, this "comedy routine" makes one thing clear: neither Tallahassee nor D.C. is backing down from what is shaping up to be the most expensive and personal redistricting battle in Florida history.