DeSantis Calls NYC Subway Killer "A Good Samaritan"; Accuses Disney of "Waging Jihad"

In a sure sign that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is seeking the 2024 GOP nomination, he has within a matter of days called the New York City subway killer "a Good Samaritan" and also accused Disney of "waging jihad."

On Friday, DeSantis tweeted, “We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine... America’s got his back."

When I think of a Good Samaritan, I think of someone who tends to the sick and injured, gives aid to a stranded motorist or provides food, water and shelter to those without. I don't think choking someone to death qualifies one as a Good Samaritan. I also don't think DeSantis actually believes it, but he knows other people do. And by tapping into that sentiment, he hopes he can thwart Donald Trump from being the Republican standard bearer for a third consecutive time. If that means perverting the concept of what a Good Samaritan, then so be it.

In an interview with The American Conservative, DeSantis claimed Disney with regard to Florida's "Don't Say Gay Bill" was engaging in a campaign “to wage a jihad against this bill legislatively" (sic). This "jihad" to which DeSantis refers consists of a tweet written by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February 2022 which reads, “If passed, this bill will put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy.”

Of course, jihad means holy war and most people associate jihad with Islamic terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah and, well, Islamic Jihad. Contrary to what DeSantis would have us believe, Disney does not belong in such company. But if anyone is engaging in a "holy war" it is DeSantis by singling out Disney for having the temerity to publicly disagree with one of his measures. 

DeSantis' campaign against so-called "woke corporations" speaks to a philosophy of fundamentalism - at least for show. As with his support for the New York City subway killer, this is about trying to peel off Trump voters. Whether it works or not remains to be seen. But this won't be the last time DeSantis does his part to corrupt language, religion not to mention our civil discourse for the sake of his own petty ambitions.