FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an $8 million infrastructure grant on Thursday for Miami Freedom Park, the new Major League Soccer stadium for Inter Miami expected to open in 2026.
But the news was overshadowed by DeSantis making a political speech during the event, heavily criticizing Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who was recently announced as Kamala Harris’ running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
A day after saying “A Harris-Walz ticket would make America burn again” on FOX News, DeSantis criticized Minnesota’s COVID-19 policies under Walz during the pandemic, the state’s purported decreased population and state laws allowing minors to seek medical treatment without parent permission.
“I never thought it would end up where someone would make this judgment of actually putting him on a ticket,” DeSantis said of Walz.
DeSantis said his intel came from new Florida residents who moved from Minnesota.
“I remember during COVID, the absolute frustration that people had moving from Minnesota because of how they were being treated,” DeSantis said, specifically calling out a mandate for Minnesota state employee to get the COVID vaccine and a hotline created for people to call about violating COVID restrictions.
DeSantis also said “being able to get kids in school was impossible for those months in COVID. I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous what they were doing.’ He went on to call out the state’s policies on gender-affirming care for children.
DeSantis ended his speech saying he does not expect national media to “expose this at all.” He did not field any questions from media in attendance, leaving abruptly because of inclement weather in the area.
“I think they’re creating a much different image. But this is something that we’ve been getting information on for many years, just from the people that move out of of Minnesota and have come to Florida,” DeSantis said of Walz. “And I tell you, I always ask people, when they tell me they moved, I said, Are you glad you did? And, they say they are. So that’s that.”
How will the $8 million grant be used?
The grant will be used to construct a roadway to alleviate traffic in and around the stadium, which is under construction near Miami International Airport. The money comes from the governor’s job growth work fund, while the stadium is privately funded.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas spoke of the jobs and tourism the project will bring to Miami, claiming it will ‘generate over $40 million a year in tax revenue between state and local governments.’ He also stood with DeSantis and a giant check for the amount of the grant.