DeSantis Faces Criticism for $50 Million Campaign, Including $4 Million Against Marijuana, Funded by Elon Musk

Nov 1, 2024, 01:09 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing scrutiny for allegedly using taxpayer funds and opioid settlement money to campaign against ballot initiatives related to abortion rights and marijuana legalization. Reports indicate that DeSantis has spent an estimated $50 million in taxpayer dollars to oppose these initiatives, with GOP Senator Joe Gruters criticizing the use of state resources for what he termed 'propaganda.' Additionally, a member of the Florida Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement expressed concern that $4 million in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers and distributors was improperly allocated for a campaign ad against marijuana legalization. DeSantis has also been linked to funding ads through Elon Musk, who endorsed him in the primary against Trump, further raising questions about the appropriateness of these expenditures.