| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | | | Hello and welcome to Friday. Nothing to see here — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a half-hour press conference (in Israel, not Tallahassee) where he exhibited a few flashes of his well-known testiness, insisted Thursday that no decisions have been made and nothing has been set with regards to a run for president. This was a much more forceful answer than he gave in Japan. Bank it — Of course, there’s all sort of hand-wringing over endorsements and lots of polls showing him trailing former President Donald Trump. But let’s say if — oh just if — DeSantis does goes ahead with a presidential run in the next few weeks, there’s one big advantage he has over would-be rivals: cold hard cash. Add it up — POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Jessica Piper — looking at public filings and statements from people in the DeSantis orbit — point out that the governor is sitting on well more than $110 million. Now, yes most of this is tied to his state political committee, and yes, there are some federal campaign finance issues that need to be worked out. But this still puts DeSantis in a much better posture than several other challengers to former President Trump. And while Trump and his allies have a hefty bank account, DeSantis still has more. Follow the money — Roy Bailey, a Texas fundraiser who helped lead Trump’s previous fundraising efforts, told POLITICO this week that “if DeSantis gets in, he’s going to have a huge amount of momentum and I think the donor class and the [fund]raiser class are going to be with him.” Bailey added that “the people I speak to are either major donors or major raisers. For a time now, it has been very clear to me from my conversations around the country with those people that they are hoping DeSantis gets in the race and I think their money will follow.” And now this — Axios meanwhile reported last night (complete with a photo) that DeSantis dined with Miriam Adelson and other GOP donors earlier this week in Israel. It had been previously reported that Adelson, widow to billionaire Sheldon Adelson, planned to stay on the sidelines during the 2024 Republican primary. DeSantis has previously gotten financial support from the Adelson family but getting her backing for a presidential campaign would be a notable development. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is in London, England, for the final stop on a weeklong international trade mission. He is scheduled to meet with British Foreign Minister James Cleverly. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | A message from Alibaba: Florida businesses, like DS Laboratories, are among thousands of American companies that sell products to over one billion consumers in China on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms. Last year, sales of U.S. products to Chinese consumers on Alibaba added $1.7 billion to Florida’s GDP and supported 15,000 jobs and $936 million in wages for local workers. Learn about Alibaba’s positive impact on the U.S. economy. | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | BY THE NUMBERS — The one big advantage Ron De$antis has: Tons and tons of cash, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Jessica Piper: As he prepares to enter the presidential race in the coming weeks, DeSantis sits atop accounts poised to support his candidacy that total more than $110 million, according to public filings and people who represent the entities. And that’s all without him opening an official campaign committee account. DeSantis’ financial advantage looms over the Republican field: Most contenders have cash balances on orders of magnitude lower than his. It far outpaces lower-polling contenders like the pair of South Carolinians, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott. Even the super PAC backing Trump, MAGA Inc., reported $55 million on hand as of the end of 2022 — a hefty sum, but far short of what’s in the bank for DeSantis. WHILE YOU’RE STOPPING BY — Trump who? Farage’s party cozies up to DeSantis as White House hopeful lands in UK, by POLITICO Europe’s Stefan Boscia: Nigel Farage’s new right-wing party Reform UK is making overtures to Donald Trump’s potential presidential rival Ron DeSantis as the Florida governor flies into Britain for high-level talks. DeSantis, who is expected to announce his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential candidacy in the coming weeks, will hold meetings with senior British ministers in London on Friday as a part of a four-country “trade mission” to promote Florida on the world stage. But also chasing a meet-up will be key allies of Farage, who is honorary president of Reform UK and who first met DeSantis at last year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Florida. |  Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis arrives at the Foreign Office to visit Britain's Foreign Secretary in London, Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) | AP | ALLIES — DeSantis hates the media — but not this one outlet, by POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein: Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to only a few interviews in the past year, usually with Fox News or established right-wing outlets. He’s made a show of turning down requests from places like “The View.” But the week the Florida Standard went live in August, Will Witt rolled out a 22-minute sit-down with DeSantis, a coincidence that suggested to many the outlet had ties to DeSantis supporters. The flow — Witt is at the center of DeSantis’ norms-smashing media strategy. To circumvent the “legacy” reporters that he hates — and that his base loves him for hating — DeSantis has forged his own press corps in the Sunshine State. Made up of the Florida Standard and a constellation of similar sites, this media ecosystem has become a pipeline that feeds conservative culture war talking points and DeSantisland scoops to larger conservative outlets and, occasionally, even the mainstream press. SHARING A MEAL — “DeSantis dines with Miriam Adelson, other major GOP donors in Israel,” by Axios’ Barak Ravid and Sophia Cal: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dined with Miriam Adelson — former President Trump's top financial backer in 2020 — and other major GOP donors in Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to two sources who attended the dinner. Why it matters: DeSantis, considered Trump's top rival for the GOP nomination, is expected to announce his presidential exploratory committee in the coming weeks. Politico reported in October 2022 that Adelson, widow to the late billionaire Sheldon Adelson, told several possible Republican candidates that she plans stay neutral in the 2024 primary." HMM — “Rubio warns against Florida going after companies for ‘political purposes,’” by The Hill’s Jared Gans: “Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Thursday warned against politicians going after companies for ‘political purposes’ after Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), the latest escalation in the ongoing standoff between the governor and entertainment company. Rubio said in an interview on Fox News that Florida addressing an arrangement that gave Disney 'governmental-type powers' is a ‘perfectly legitimate thing.’ But he said it raises concerns that a business could face retribution for disagreeing politically with a state legislature.” — DeSantis rivals are enjoying his feud with Disney. Here are the Republicans who’ve lashed out,” by POLITICO’s Kierra Frazier — “Florida senators support DeSantis once again in the governor’s battle with Disney,” by Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas — “Group backing DeSantis attacks Nikki Haley for pro-Disney comments,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello — “In Israel, Ron DeSantis promotes his foreign policy credentials,” by The New York Times’ Patrick Kingsley — “Kevin McCarthy urges Ron DeSantis to end Disney feud,” by Newsweek’s Aila Slisco — “DeSantis a Midwestener? Governor, allies tout ‘Rust Belt’ ties before possible 2024 run,” by McClatchy D.C.’s Alex Roarty — “DeSantis’ miscalculation: ‘Disney is playing the long game,’” by Wall Street Journal’s Arian Campo-Flores and Robbie Whelan
| | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | REVERSAL — “Appeals court upholds Florida voting restrictions approved by GOP lawmakers,” by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie and Gary Fineout: A federal appeals court sided with Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday when it overturned a lower court’s decision on a controversial voting law. That law, approved by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature in 2021, placed restrictions on the use of drop boxes and set new requirements for voter registration groups, among other things. A federal judge in March 2022 ruled that the law was discriminatory against minorities and placed unconstitutional burdens on voters. WHAT’S GOING ON? — Florida Education Department seeks sanctions against Leon schools chief, frequent DeSantis critic, by POLITICO’s Andrew Attterbury: Florida’s Department of Education is pursuing sanctions against Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna, a move the schools chief claims is politically-motivated retribution by the DeSantis administration. The education agency has accused Hanna, a Democrat and vocal critic of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education policies, of violating Florida law and several state education rules spanning different issues, including his response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These allegations put at risk Hanna’s educator credentials, although they don’t appear to affect his position as elected superintendent. — “Read the ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ stamped letter tied to investigation of Superintendent Hanna,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan POWER PLAY — House passes bill creating board to take over Gainesville utility, by POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie: The Florida House on Thursday, despite vocal opposition from Democrats, passed and sent to the Senate a bill creating a state board to lead Gainesville Regional Utilities. Republicans said during debate that the utility should be removed from city control because it has too much debt and its rates are too high. But Democrats warned that the move was part of a statewide effort by power companies to take over city-owned utilities. — “Some South Florida workers could see pay cut down to minimum wage. Here’s what to know,” by Miami Herald’s Grethel Aguila — “Florida House sends $1.4 billion tax relief package to Senate,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers — “Gillum trial day 9: Prosecutors and defense rest; former mayor opts not to testify,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew — “Senate OKs more regulations for online vacation rentals,” by Florida Politics’ Anne Geggis — “Budget conference: Farewell Elliot building, hello Memorial Park,” by Florida Politics’ Gray Rohrer
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | MOVING ON — “As Trump rallies in New Hampshire, legal woes play in real time, by POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity: For almost any other candidate in any other campaign, a criminal indictment and a civil trial over a rape accusation would sound a death knell. For Trump, it’s barely a blip. The former president’s polling lead over his 2024 Republican rivals has grown as his legal morass deepens. A recurring joke he made again Thursday about being served a subpoena if he so much as flies over a Democratic-leaning state drew laughs and applause from those attending. ‘ALL FALSE’ — “A second firm hired by Trump campaign found no evidence of election fraud,” by Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey: “Former president Trump’s campaign quietly commissioned a second firm to study election fraud claims in the weeks after the 2020 election, and the founder of the firm was recently questioned by the Justice Department about his work disproving the claims. Ken Block, founder of the firm Simpatico Software Systems, studied more than a dozen voter fraud theories and allegations for Trump’s campaign in late 2020 and found they were ‘all false,’ he said in an interview with The Washington Post.” — E. Jean Carroll, under pointed questioning from Trump lawyer: ‘He raped me whether I screamed or not,’ by POLITICO’s Erica Orden — “Trump weighs skipping primary debates,” by The New York Times’ Neil Vigdor
| | | | HAPPENING NEXT WEEK! GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from May 1-4. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | DATELINE D.C. | | LOPSIDED VOTE — “House rejects Gaetz resolution remove US troops from Somalia,” by Fox News’ Peter Kasperowicz: "The House on Thursday rejected legislation from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., that would require President Biden to remove most U.S. troops from Somalia, which opponents warned would hurt U.S. national security by making harder to fight al-Shabaab, a group the U.S. labeled a terrorist organization more than a decade ago. House lawmakers rejected Gaetz’s resolution in a 102-321 vote, despite Gaetz’s argument that about 900 U.S. troops are in Somalia on a permanent, undefined mission that will never be enough to bring peace to that country."
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — “Marco Rubio isn’t endorsing in 2024 race yet,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “Matt Carlucci endorses Donna Deegan in Jacksonville mayor’s race,” by Florida Times-Union’s David Bauerlein
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | WARNING — “Guaidó says he was told to either leave Colombia or be handed over to the Maduro regime,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Antonio Maria Delgado: “Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó said that before he was put on a plane bound for Miami this week he was threatened by Colombian authorities with deportation — and being turned over to the Nicolás Maduro regime, which would have imprisoned him. ‘It is only thanks to the intervention of the United States that I am here … with you,’ Guaidó said Thursday morning at a press conference in Miami.” — “Florida’s dental desserts leave millions without access to oral care,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lauren Peace
| | A message from Alibaba: Alibaba helps American businesses succeed globally. In 2022, $66 billion worth of U.S. products were sold on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, a nearly 10% increase over 2021. From household names to emerging small businesses, thousands of American companies sell products to over one billion consumers in China on Alibaba.
Read how American businesses are succeeding with Alibaba. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: Ben Nelson, meteorologist with National Weather Service and former state meteorologist ... (Saturday) Circuit Judge Gary Farmer … veteran Florida photographer Mark Wallheiser … former state Rep. Renier Diaz de la Portilla ... (Sunday) Brooke Sours, director of integrated communications American Petroleum Institute | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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