DeSantis Pushes Drug Invested In By Major Contributor

Is there anything about Floriduh Gov. Ron "One Glove" DeSantis that's not beneath contempt?

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has been touting a COVID-19 antibody treatment known as Regeneron while downplaying the importance of vaccines — and waging war against mask mandates.  

On Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel [paywall] revealed a possible reason why.

As it turns out, DeSantis' No. 1 political donor has invested nearly $16 million in shares of Regeneron Pharmaceutical, the maker of the monoclonal antibody treatment.

The Sentinel reports that Ken Griffin, the CEO of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, has donated $10.75 million to a political committee that supports DeSantis. Meanwhile, Citadel has $15.9 million in shares of Regeneron Pharmaceutical, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

"DeSantis ramped up the call for Floridians to seek out monoclonal antibody treatments in August as coronavirus cases spiked," the Sentinel reports. "He's held news conferences at treatment sites and a Tampa hospital touting the effectiveness of the drug if people receive treatment soon after testing positive."  

The newspaper reported that the relationship between DeSantis and Citadel "has generated a buzz on social media," with Democrats questioning it.

DeSantis has been flying the state in recent days promoting Regeneron, setting up monoclonal antibody treatment sites in three counties — including Orlando's Camping World Stadium.  [snip]

"Griffin, a billionaire, has donated tens of millions of dollars to other conservative candidates and political committees across the country. He was raised in Florida and is building an oceanfront mansion near Trump's Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago resort," the Sentinel reported. 

DeSantis is apparently ok with promoting a remedial treatment that happens to cost the government over $1,000, while fighting against cheap, life- saving alternatives like vaccines and masks... because it lines the pockets of a billionaire contributor?  

Sociopathic.  Corrupt.  Smug.  Hypocritical.  Cynical.  This asshole is peak Republican.

(Image:  personal hygiene and public health expert "One Glove" DeSantis)