DeSantis aides battle Byron Donalds over Florida education policy: ‘Did Kamala write this?’

Florida governor press secretary called Donalds a 'supposed conservative'

Aides for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis traded barbs this week with Rep. Byron Donalds, the state’s only Black Republican in Congress, over Florida’s new educational standards for African American history.

The battle began when Donalds criticized a part of the curriculum that teaches Florida students that some slaves "developed skills from which they could personally benefit."

"The new African-American standards in FL are good, robust, & accurate. That being said, the attempt to feature the personal benefits of slavery is wrong & needs to be adjusted. That obviously wasn't the goal & I have faith that FLDOE will correct this," Donalds said on Wednesday.

DeSantis 2024 campaign rapid response director Christina Pushaw replied to Donalds that evening asking, "Did Kamala Harris write this tweet?," a reference to opposition to the language on slavery from the White House.

RON DESANTIS HITS BACK AT KAMALA HARRIS FOR TRYING TO ‘PERPETUATE A HOAX’ ABOUT BLACK HISTORY CURRICULUM

desantis aides battle byron donalds over florida education policy did kamala write this

Rep. Byron Donalds, left, traded barbs with Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign aides on Twitter.

The governor’s executive office press secretary Jeremy Redfern added, "Laundering a lie for the White House isn’t a good look."

"Supposed conservatives in the federal government are pushing the same false narrative that originated from the [White House]. Florida isn’t going to hide the truth for political convenience," Redfern said in a wider statement. "Maybe the congressman shouldn’t swing for the liberal media fences like [Harris]."

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Donalds, who endorsed former President Trump for 2024, then pointed out that he praised most of the curriculum and accused DeSantis’s team of acting "desperately."

desantis aides battle byron donalds over florida education policy did kamala write this

Rep. Bryron Donalds, left, is among former President Trump's most vocal allies in Congress.

"What's crazy to me is I expressed support for the vast majority of the new African American history standards and happened to oppose one sentence that seemed to dignify the skills gained by slaves as a result of their enslavement," Donalds said.

"Anyone who can't accurately interpret what I said is disingenuous and is desperately attempting to score political points. Just another reason why l'm proud to have endorsed President Donald J. Trump!"

DESANTIS LETS LOOSE ON FLORIDA 'OBSESSED' KAMALA HARRIS SPEECH RIPPING STATE'S BLACK HISTORY STANDARD

Pushaw and Redfern replied to Donalds’s tweet with gifs of Harris in various smiling poses.

Trump’s campaign also released a statement backing Donalds, lauding him as a "conservative hero."

"Congressman Byron Donalds is a conservative hero. The Republican Party is lucky to have him as a leader, and President Trump is honored to have his endorsement," Trump adviser Jason Miller said. "For the OFFICIAL office of the Governor, and (what’s left of) Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign to attempt to smear Congressman Donalds like this is a disgrace – and it’s indicative of why DeSantis has plummeted faster than any presidential candidate in history."

DeSantis’s aides attacked Miller in response, as Pushaw replied to his statement with a gif of Harris applauding. Redfern quipped, "Are they clapping because he finally paid his child support?"

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Authored by Elizabeth Elkind via FoxNews July 27th 2023