Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel has said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should not let “the woke issue” distract him from pressing economic questions if he runs for president this cycle.
The GOP megadonor underscored that he would back DeSantis if he becomes the Republican standard-bearer in 2024, but stopped short of endorsing him in the primary.
“I think DeSantis will make a terrific president. If he’s the Republican nominee, I will strongly support him in 2024,” Thiel explained to Bari Weiss on the “Honestly” podcast. “But I do worry that focusing on the woke issue as ground zero is not quite enough.”
“Things can be both important and a distraction at the same time,” Thiel added. “The focus on identity politics, on the woke religion is probably a distraction from stagnation. It’s a distraction from economics. It’s a distraction from the way in which the younger generation in the US is probably gonna have a hard time getting the same standard of living as their parents.”
DeSantis rose to GOP stardom in part by wading into the culture wars, championing government actions intended to curtail the dissemination of critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
Despite his warning, Thiel maintained it is ”necessary to defeat the woke mind virus.”
Billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should not let “the woke issue” distract him from pressing economic questions if he runs for president in 2024. Roger Askew/The Oxford Union/Shutterstock
DeSantis has not yet formally jumped into the race but is expected to do so sometime after the Florida legislative session ends this week. Paul Hennessy / SOPA Images/Sipa USAOther heavyweight Republican donors have reportedly soured on DeSantis over his position on social issues.
For instance, billionaire Republican donor Thomas Peterffy revealed in a recent interview that he was ceasing donations to DeSantis over his position on abortion and other social issues.
“I have put myself on hold. Because of his stance on abortion and book banning,” he told The Financial Times. “Myself, and a bunch of friends, are holding our powder dry.”
“I think DeSantis will make a terrific president. If he’s the Republican nominee, I will strongly support him in 2024,” Thiel explained to Bari Weiss on the “Honestly” podcast. REUTERS
During his governorship, DeSantis signed a law meant to give parents increased say over books in classrooms. AP
The 44-year-old Floridian has been widely pegged as the main challenger to 76-year-old former President Donald Trump, according to reports. APDuring his governorship, DeSantis signed a law meant to give parents increased say over books in classrooms, and the ability to object to sexually explicit content.
The measure has led to school districts cataloging their internal libraries and removing some material, drawing claims of censorship from critics.
DeSantis has also signed legislation to ban abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur around six weeks of gestation.
DeSantis rose to GOP stardom in part by wading into the culture wars, including actions intended to curtail the dissemination of critical race theory and diversity, equity, and inclusion training. REUTERSThat law is currently in limbo amid court challenges to a previously passed 15-week abortion ban law.
The Floridian, 44, has been widely pegged as the main challenger to 76-year-old former President Donald Trump.
He has not yet formally jumped into the race but is expected to do so sometime after the Florida legislative session ends this week.
