ron desantis
Graham Bensinger sits down with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for a conversation covering the major chapters of his life and tenure in office. DeSantis reflects on his path from a working-class Florida upbringing through Yale, Harvard Law, and military service, to the culture war battles and COVID policies that defined his governorship and fueled a presidential run. He also opens up about personal loss, including the sudden death of his sister and his wife Casey’s breast cancer diagnosis. Beyond the interview, the two tour the Governor’s Mansion, venture into the Everglades for a Burmese python hunt, and share a surprise video call with Guy Fieri.
Ron desantis
CLIPS
Ron DeSantis: College athletes have more power than the pros
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pulls back the curtain on college sports chaos, revealing the private golf conversation with President Trump that sparked the White House NIL summit with Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Condoleezza Rice and others. DeSantis breaks down the three fixes he says would solve 90% of college athletics’ biggest problems: eligibility limits, the transfer portal, and pay-to-play NIL collectives. He explains why college athletes now have MORE leverage than pro players, why Congress has only months to act, and the devastating impact on women’s and Olympic sports.
Ron DeSantis: I nearly had a career in pro baseball
Before politics, Ron DeSantis was a Yale baseball captain with major league dreams. In this candid interview, the Florida Governor opens up about his .313 batting average, the legendary hit he witnessed from pitcher-turned-slugger Rick Ankiel at a Blue Jays spring training game, and why he knew he’d never make it to the big leagues. He also explains how baseball taught him the work ethic that powered him through Yale Magna Cum Laude, Harvard Law School, and his political career.
Ron DeSantis: Why I came out of Yale & Harvard even more conservative
Ron DeSantis says he didn’t know Ivy League colleges were liberal until he arrived at Yale in jean shorts and flip flops. In this conversation, the Florida Governor talks about his upbringing, his nurse mother from Youngstown, Ohio, and his father from the steel towns of western Pennsylvania. He shares his recollection of feeling like an outsider on campus and describes how, by his account, the liberal environment at Yale and Harvard Law School pushed him further to the political right rather than the left. A personal look at how DeSantis says his college years shaped the conservative politician he became.
Ron DeSantis: The truth about what I saw at Guantanamo Bay
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recounts his time as a 27-year-old Navy JAG officer stationed at Guantanamo Bay during the height of the War on Terror, offering a firsthand account of the maximum-security facility that held 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. DeSantis says what he witnessed there stood in stark contrast to the coverage he later encountered in the New York Times and Washington Post. He also discusses his decision to forgo a lucrative post-Harvard Law career to serve his country following 9/11, the unexpected influence of the film A Few Good Men, including his impression of Jack Nicholson’s iconic courtroom scene, and the broader lessons he draws from his military service.
Will Casey DeSantis run for governor? Ron DeSantis on her future
Ron DeSantis shares the story of how he met his wife — starting with a random trip to the driving range while he was sick and turning into a spontaneous first date at Beef O’Brady’s that changed everything. He reflects on how their relationship quickly became both personal and professional, with her playing a key role in supporting his career while also leading impactful initiatives of her own. DeSantis highlights her work in areas like cancer research and child welfare, emphasizing that she’s driven by purpose, not recognition. Plus, Ron responds directly to growing speculation about Casey running for governor and what their next chapter looks like as a family.
Ron DeSantis: Taking a stand against Disney and corporate wokeness
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offers his perspective on the high-profile fight with Disney over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, which critics nicknamed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, which prohibits public schools from having “classroom discussion”, or giving “classroom instruction” about sexual orientation or gender identity. DeSantis explains his view of what the legislation does, and describes the inside story of how the state moved to end Disney’s decades-old special tax district. He also discusses his decision to warn then-CEO Bob Chapek against getting involved, the irony of getting married at Disney, and why he believes the showdown influenced how other U.S. corporations approach politically charged issues.
Ron DeSantis: Why I sent 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard
Ron DeSantis explains the thinking behind his decision to send migrants to Martha’s Vineyard — and why he believed it would shift the national conversation. He argues the move was meant to highlight what he sees as a disconnect between immigration policies and the communities actually dealing with their impact. DeSantis walks through how the situation unfolded, pointing out the reaction from local officials and how quickly the migrants were relocated. He says the goal was to create a “sharp contrast” and force more attention on border policy, ultimately pushing the issue into the national spotlight in a way he believes hadn’t happened before.
Ron DeSantis: Ending the culture of abortion as birth control in Florida
Ron DeSantis discusses his stance on abortion, framing it as a fundamental question about when life begins and what protections it deserves. He explains how his views are rooted in seeing a detectable heartbeat and unique DNA as indicators of life, while also acknowledging the emotional and complex realities many women face. DeSantis talks through Florida’s approach to abortion laws, including exceptions and recent declines in abortion rates, and emphasizes that the issue goes beyond politics into moral and philosophical territory. He reflects on the balance between protecting life and navigating difficult, real-world situations.
Ron DeSantis on wife: Self-advocacy saved her during her breast cancer battle
In this personal interview, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reflects on family loss and illness, including his mother’s early battles with cancer, the sudden death of his sister Christina from a pulmonary embolism at age 30, and his wife Casey’s breast cancer diagnosis when their three children were all under five. DeSantis describes how Casey pushed for a mammogram after an initial exam cleared her, the emotional weight of the diagnosis, and the research process he went through with doctors around the state.
Ron DeSantis: Donald Trump told me I should have attacked him
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offers his most detailed reflection yet on his 2024 presidential campaign against Donald Trump. DeSantis discusses the unique dynamic of running against a former president, shares the message he says he repeatedly heard from Republican voters, and describes what he believes he would do differently on media strategy. He also talks about his now-friendly relationship with Trump, including a conversation in which Trump told him ‘You should have attacked me.’ Plus, DeSantis recounts the 2017 Air Force One flight he says helped open the door to his gubernatorial campaign, his defense of Trump during the Russia investigation, and his perspective on the 2020 election debate.
Ron DeSantis: Elon Musk is wired different than us mortals
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discusses his working relationship with Elon Musk, offering his personal assessment of Musk as an entrepreneur and describing what he says it’s like to have a conversation with him. DeSantis shares how Florida worked directly with Musk on Starlink satellite deployment during Hurricane Ian and other storms, saying Musk personally helped with the logistics. He also discusses his ongoing interest in attracting Tesla manufacturing and Boring Company tunnel projects to Florida.
Ron DeSantis responds to the “bully” and “thin-skinned” labels
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gives a behind-the-scenes look at his day-to-day life — from early mornings and constant travel across Florida to handling crises like hurricanes and the Surfside collapse. He explains how his schedule can shift quickly depending on what’s happening, often working long days and finding time to recharge in short bursts. DeSantis also opens up about his personality, admitting he can be impatient and driven by results, while pushing back on criticisms about his leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected to everyday people, saying that getting out of the Capitol and hearing directly from constituents is what keeps him grounded and effective.
Ron DeSantis: The economic win of rejecting COVID-19 lockdowns
Ron DeSantis reflects on the intense criticism he faced during COVID-19 — and why he chose to stick with decisions he believed were right, even when they went against the national narrative. He explains how he relied on his own analysis of the data, particularly around age-based risk and infection rates, to guide policies like keeping schools open. DeSantis shares how the backlash was constant early on, but over time, he believes Florida’s results shifted public perception. He argues that staying focused on jobs, education, and daily life ultimately shaped the state’s trajectory and reinforced his belief in leading based on conviction rather than pressure.
Ron DeSantis: My plan to eliminate property taxes for Florida residents
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lays out his proposal to eliminate property taxes on homesteaded Florida residences, a plan he says would appear on the 2026 ballot if passed by the legislature. DeSantis argues that local property tax revenue has nearly doubled since he took office and outlines how he believes the state can phase out homestead property taxes without cutting essential services. He also shares his perspective on artificial intelligence regulation, raising concerns about concentrations of power, impacts on children, and disclosure standards.
Gov. Ron DeSantis: Joining a future presidential cabinet?
With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ second term winding down, he discusses what may come next. DeSantis talks about his ongoing push for constitutional amendments on congressional term limits and a federal balanced budget, and he reflects on his Florida tenure, including voter registration shifts that have taken place during his time in office. He addresses speculation about joining the Trump administration, saying he has not been offered or pursued a role, and discusses how his family is thinking about the transition out of the governor’s mansion after eight years. A look at how DeSantis describes his next chapter.
Inside the Florida Governor’s Mansion: From Cold War bunkers to a secret sauna
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offers a rare private tour of the Florida Governor’s Mansion. DeSantis shows off the backyard he turned into a makeshift baseball field for his kids after Hurricane Idalia knocked down a historic oak tree (the family had bats made from the wood, inspired by ‘The Natural’), a Cold War era bunker he says has not been used in decades, and the family’s rescue dogs. He also shares memories from his time in office, including a 2019 fireside chat with Rush Limbaugh, awarding the first Florida Medal of Freedom to coach Bobby Bowden, and a personal soft spot for fast food chains like In-N-Out and Del Taco. An unusually personal look at the home the DeSantis family has lived in for seven years.
Gov. Ron DeSantis: Inspired (and surprised) by Guy Fieri
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gives a behind-the-scenes look at his social media series ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and DeSantis,’ which he says started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to spotlight family-owned Florida restaurants. In this segment, DeSantis visits Camellia Street Grill in Everglades City, described by owner Terri Rementeria as being in the ‘stone crab capital of the world.’ The governor samples stone crab bisque, fried green tomatoes, and stone crab tacos before a surprise FaceTime call with Food Network personality and restaurateur Guy Fieri, who offers friendly tips and some jokes at DeSantis’ expense.
Deep in the Everglades with Ron DeSantis: Pinning down Burmese pythons
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis heads into the Everglades for a Burmese python hunt alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife experts Sarah Funck, Kylie Obergefell, and Roger Young. Burmese pythons, a non-native invasive species, first became a problem in the Everglades after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and have since preyed on native wildlife including deer, bobcats, wading birds, and alligators. Graham Bensinger attempts a hands-on python capture with coaching from FWC specialists, while DeSantis discusses the state’s python contractor program, a private-sector partnership he says has helped increase removals, and his perspective on Everglades restoration funding.
Gov. Ron DeSantis: Trump, controversy, loss and what comes next
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sits down with Graham Bensinger for a wide-ranging conversation on his 2024 presidential campaign and evolving relationship with Donald Trump, his high-profile fight with Disney, and his controversial COVID-19 response. DeSantis also opens up about his wife Casey’s breast cancer battle, growing speculation she could run for governor, and what may come next after eight years leading Florida.