Inside Florida Politics

Six days after a massive lose in Iowa, a defeated Gov. Ron DeSantis returns to Tallahassee ahead of the first of his last three legislative sessions. But first, DeSantis bends the knee to Donald Trump, throwing his support behind the former president. What's next for DeSantis and Trump's relationship and what can Florida expect now that the governor is back in the state and off the campaign trail....

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is delivering his closing message in Iowa after going hard at Nikki Haley in their final debate before the Iowa Caucus. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the final push in Iowa, Trump going off script and Florida’s legislative session kicking off.

Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the top stories in Florida politics in 2023, including DeSantis' struggling presidential campaign, the GOP cementing its grasp on Florida and Trump's resurgence.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' struggling presidential primary campaign is entering the home stretch before voting begins in Iowa. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss the challenges facing DeSantis has he tries to pull off a surprise finish in Iowa, a pair of upcoming debates and a new poll showing Florida voters support abortion rights.

Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley exchanged barbs in the third GOP presidential debate in Miami. Reporters Zac Anderson, Stephany Matat and Antonio Fins discuss the debate fireworks and former President Donald's Trump's rally in nearby Hialeah.

Gov. Ron DeSantis took multiple shots at former President Donald Trump during the second GOP presidential primary debate. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio fins discuss DeSantis' debate strategy, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz's central role in a federal spending debate that has Congress on the brink of a federal shutdown and a court case challenging Florida's congressional redist...

Ron DeSantis preps for a crucial debate, the governor defends Trump after a fourth indictment and a big trial over Florida’s congressional redistricting plan kicks off next week. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss this and reveal this week's "Pick-a-Number" on this week's podcast

Gov. Ron DeSantis decried the “weaponization of government” after former President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discus the impact of the indictment on the GOP presidential primary, DeSantis' fading poll numbers amid signs his culture war approach is falling flat and the firestorm over Florida’s new Black history standards

Trump’s indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents is sending shockwaves through the GOP presidential primary as plans move forward for a Florida trial. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the fallout from Trump's indictment, DeSantis finally signing the state budget and another clash over Advanced Placement courses that is brewing in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' controversial migrant flight program is attracting attention again with a new round of flights carrying migrants to California. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the reaction to the flights, the governor sparing with former President Donald Trump during his first full week on the presidential campaign trail and a judge pausing enforcement of Florida...

Gov. Ron DeSantis finally made his presidential campaign official, but the kickoff event was marred by technical problems. Journalists Antonio Fins, Stephany Matat and Zac Anderson discuss the governor’s chances against Trump in the presidential primary, the campaign launch's embarrassing technical glitches and Trump's reaction to DeSantis entering the race. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis is avoiding commenting on Trump's legal troubles as he readies his campaign for president. Journalists John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss DeSantis' Trump strategy, Florida lawmakers delivering a conservative wish list for DeSantis to run on and Democrats desperately searching for a candidate to take on U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

Gov. Ron DeSantis went after Disney again with new legislation. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kennedy discuss the governor's ongoing feud with one of the state's most iconic companies, Florida’s congressional delegation rushing to endorse Trump over DeSantis and the Florida Legislature expands a law banning the teaching of LGBTQ topics through the 12th grade.

Donald Trump responded to his arraignment in New York City with a grievance-filled speech at his Palm Beach club this week. Journalists Stephany Matat, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss Trump's response to the historic criminal case, MAGA world rallying around the indicted former president and California Gov. Gavin Newsom swiping at Florida’s governor during a stop in Sarasota.

The likelihood of Florida man Donald Trump being indicted soon has the state’s political world on edge. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss how Trump fans are reacting to the former president's legal peril, Gov. Ron DeSantis's comments on the Trump prosecution and major bills that are moving quickly through the Legislature, including a six week abortion ban.

Gov. Ron DeSantis released a new book as a precursor to a likely presidential run. Journalists John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the presidential platform DeSantis lays out in his book, the Florida Democratic Party's new chair and new legislation signed by the governor that gives him control over Disney World’s properties in Central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is hinting at doing away with Advanced Placement classes in Florida amid a dispute over a Black studies course. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss DeSantis' penchant for picking high-profile education fights, a push by state lawmakers to make it harder to amend Florida’s constitution and Trump ramping up his attacks on DeSantis.

Donald Trump took another swipe at Gov. Ron DeSantis recently as the former president revs up his dormant campaign. Journalists Stephany Matat, Antonio Fins and Zac Anderson discuss the feud between Trump and DeSantis, Florida lawmakers rolling out a bill that would allow people to carry guns without a concealed weapons permit and the governor unveiling his anti-woke higher education plan.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is bringing his war on woke to New College of Florida with the appointment of six new board members who are tasked with transforming the progressive school into a conservative institution. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the governor's latest culture war push, how COVID concerns continue to be at the forefront of DeSantis' agenda and the Florida De...

Gov. Ron DeSantis' kicked off his second term amid buzz about a presidential run in 2024. Reporters John Kennedy, Zac Anderson and Antonio Fins discuss what DeSantis' inauguration speech might say about his presidential aspirations, the Florida Republican competing with Kevin McCarthy to become U.S. House speaker and the governor’s war on "woke" going to college.

Ron DeSantis is more fully embracing vaccine skepticism in calling for a grand jury to investigate COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. Journalists Antonio Fins, Zac Anderson and John Kenney discuss the governor's vaccine announcement, DeSantis rising in the polls against Donald Trump amid the former president's disastrous 2024 campaign rollout and lawmakers taking another crack at solving Florida's pr...

Gov. Ron DeSantis is writing a new book that is generating more buzz about him running for president. Journalists Zac Anderson, John Kennedy and Antonio Fins discuss the implications of DeSantis releasing a book in February, Donald Trump getting pilloried for dining with an infamous white nationalist and the Florida Legislature meeting in another emergency session to deal with the property insuran...

Republicans sweep Florida government helped by shifting demographics, stumbling Democrats. Reporters John Kennedy, Antonio Fins and Stephany Matat discuss how a changing state embraced GOP messaging. And Trump is running, again. What that means in Florida and beyond.

President Joe Biden visited Florida to boost Democrats Val Demings and Charlie Crist. Journalists Antonio Fins, John Kennedy and Zac Anderson discuss the president's visit, Florida candidates ramping up for their final push to Election Day and former President Donald Trump rallying with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio but not Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Marco Rubio and Val Demings traded barbs in their first and only U.S. Senate debate. Journalists Zac Anderson, Antonio Fins and John Kennedy discuss the highlights of the Senate debate, Gov. Ron DeSantis getting back out on the campaign trail after a three-week pause because of Hurricane Ian and the upcoming debate between DeSantis and Charlie Crist.