Is Ron DeSantis barring media from his big election-year gathering? And is Trump the reason?

Zac Anderson, Tallahassee Democrat
·2 min read
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Gov. Ron DeSantis loves to slam the "corporate media." Now it looks like his party may prohibit reporters from covering its big election-year gathering in Hollywood.

Top Republicans from across Florida are gathering at the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino Saturday for the Republican Party of Florida's Sunshine Summit, an event that will include panel discussions, GOP congressional primary debates and a "Victory Dinner" featuring DeSantis. It traditionally has been open the media.

This year, though, it's not clear whether many media outlets will be allowed to attend.

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Florida GOP Executive Director Helen Aguirre Ferré did not respond to multiple emails and a text message from the USA TODAY Network - Florida about obtaining press credentials for the Summit. Florida GOP Chair Joe Gruters also didn't respond to a request for comment about media access to the event.

Journalists working at Politico and Florida Politics said on Twitter Thursday that they also haven't been able to get press credentials to cover the Summit. A New York Times reporter tweeted that the event is "not going to be 'open media' or livestreamed."

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters June 28, 2018, after a Florida Republican gubernatorial primary debate at the Republican Sunshine Summit in Kissimmee. The Florida GOP is holding another Sunshine Summit this year in Hollywood, but has not responded to requests by the media for credentials to cover the event.
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis speaks to reporters June 28, 2018, after a Florida Republican gubernatorial primary debate at the Republican Sunshine Summit in Kissimmee. The Florida GOP is holding another Sunshine Summit this year in Hollywood, but has not responded to requests by the media for credentials to cover the event.

That's unusual. In 2018, the media was on hand for the same event, which featured a debate between DeSantis and his GOP primary opponent, Adam Putnam. Former President Donald Trump and other GOP candidates spoke in 2015 at the event — also open to the media.

Trump also loves to bash the media and, at times, barred certain outlets from covering his events. DeSantis has made criticizing the media a central part of this regular talking points.

Donald Trump speaking the same day in Tampa

This weekend, Trump will be speaking in Florida at a conservative event in Tampa. The media is being allowed to cover that event.

Could Trump's simultaneous appearance Saturday night have something to do with the tight media access at the Sunshine Summit?

The increasing attention DeSantis is receiving within the GOP reportedly is irking the former president. DeSantis may not want to draw too much attention to himself on a night Trump also is seeking the spotlight.

Whatever the reason, it's particularly unusual to not have media at an event where candidate debates will be held.

Follow Herald-Tribune Political Editor Zac Anderson on Twitter at @zacjanderson. He can be reached at zac.anderson@heraldtribune.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trump and DeSantis both speaking in Florida with media allowed at one