| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard | Hello and welcome to Friday. Status check — While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on a daily basis jabs, chides and criticizes President Joe Biden, it seems that the White House has frequent patches of remaining quiet. Rules of engagement — But Vice President Kamala Harris laid into the DeSantis administration during her keynote address on Thursday at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s national convention in Indianapolis. And it appears she plans to do it again when she touches down later today in Jacksonville. The topic — During her speech she took aim at African American history standards adopted this week by the state Board of Education that critics contend rewrite and omit key facts or push uncomfortable topics into higher grades. Remarks — “Speaking of our children, extremists pass book bans to prevent them from learning our true history — book bans in this year of our Lord 2023. And while they do this, check it out, they push forward revisionist history,” Harris said. “Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it.” Oh by the way — It was just one part of Harris’ remarks, but the White House made sure to draw attention to it when excerpts were delivered to the media. And then on Thursday evening the White House announced that Harris would visit Florida, where she would "deliver remarks on the fight to protect fundamental freedoms, specifically, the freedom to learn and teach America’s full and true history." So it looks the Biden administration is leaning into this. Response — There hasn't been any direct response from DeSantis about this. But there has been some pushback from state education officials about the rising criticism. Alex Lanfranconi, who works as a spokesperson for Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, late Thursday afternoon tweeted out a statement from those who worked on the new standards. Lanfranconi drew attention to this part: “Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history.” Prediction — The other messaging from Diaz and others is that the critics of the standards are in the thrall of the state’s teacher union — which has clashed repeatedly with the DeSantis administration over the past few years. If the past is prologue, however, expect the governor and his supporters to respond forcefully to Harris soon. — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he is scheduled to hold a press conference with state leaders at the state Capitol. More than a dozen Utah state legislators will endorse him for president at the event, our friends at Playbook in D.C. report. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: kleonard@politico.com.
| | | | JOIN 7/26 FOR A TALK ON THE NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Join POLITICO's lively discussion, "Powering a Clean Energy Economy," on July 26 to explore the effectiveness of consumer-targeted policies to boost sustainability and create clean energy jobs. How are the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions faring? Which strategies truly sway consumer behavior? Hear from featured speaker, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), among other experts. Don't miss this insightful event — register today and be part of the conversation driving America's clean energy future! REGISTER NOW. | | | | | |  | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | | BACK IN COURT — Federal judge orders forthcoming Trump deposition be kept under wraps in lawsuit against Michael Cohen, by POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard: Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres issued a protective order on a forthcoming testimony from President Donald Trump — at least for now — in a $500 million lawsuit that centers on whether Michael Cohen, the ex-president’s former fixer and attorney, violated client-attorney privilege by talking about Trump in a book, to the media and on his podcast. This particular lawsuit has gone under the radar, but it was clear from Thursday’s proceedings in Miami how much it might bleed into the former president’s other legal entanglements, including his criminal trial in New York where Cohen is expected to be a witness. Here’s why: In deciding which documents to present as evidence in the case, Cohen’s legal team asked for tax returns, text messages and emails between Trump and his wife, and text messages between Trump and Stormy Daniels. All of these could be made public in court filings, unless Torres decides otherwise. Attorneys have to file briefs by Wednesday and the next discovery meeting is tentatively set for August 17. — “Trump’s Truth Social partner lied to investors, SEC says in settlement,” by The Washington Post’s Drew Harwell — “Trump’s Legal Woes Mount as Trial Dates and Campaign Calendar Collide,” by NYT’s Charlie Savage
| | DESANTISLAND | | BUD LIGHT MANIFESTO — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the state’s pension plan to look at whether it should sell off its shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev — the manufacturer of Bud Light — or even go so far as to consider suing the company because it “may have breached legal duties owed to its shareholders.” Bud Light has seen its sales drop significantly after the company did a promotion with TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney, a trans rights activist and actress that drew the ire of conservatives. “That fateful decision has transformed America’s formerly best-selling beer — one of InBev’s best performing assets into a commercial pariah,” DeSantis wrote in a letter he sent to the interim executive director of the State Board of Administration. The SBA oversees the Florida Retirement System, the pension plan for state workers, teachers and other public employees. The letter also says that AB InBev has been mismanaged throughout the controversy and that in order to protect Florida from losses “all options are on the table.” DeSantis said on Thursday evening on Fox News that the state has about $50 million worth of shares of AB InBev. REJECTION — “DeSantis’ campaign is hemorrhaging support with this type of GOP voter, polls show,” by Miami Herald’s Alex Roarty: “A trio of Republican primary polls ... show that Florida’s governor has suffered steep declines in support among GOP voters with at least a bachelor’s degree.” PIVOTING — "Ron DeSantis is planning a campaign reboot as he struggles to close the gap with Trump," by NBC's Dasha Burns: "Expect fewer big speeches and more handshaking in diners and churches. There will be more of a national focus than constant Florida references. And the mainstream media may start to get more access."
|  Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey walk in the July 4th parade in Merrimack, N.H. | Reba Saldanha, File/AP Photo | DESANTIS DUO — The DeSantises' appearance on “Fox and Friends” Thursday underscored how the couple works together in an attempt to show the governor’s personal side, and how involved the first lady is in her husband’s political rise. “We both have this calling,” Florida first lady Casey DeSantis said. HMM — “How Paramount buried a Vice documentary on Ron DeSantis at Guantanamo Bay,” by Semafor’s Max Tani: “The episode is in fact a rare, and serious, glimpse at how a big media company killed a potentially controversial story. Perhaps they had reason to be fearful: DeSantis showed that he was willing to take on a much bigger and more influential media company, Disney.” ‘OUT THE WINDOW’ — DeSantis backs Tuberville on military holds, denounces Pentagon abortion policy, by POLITICO’s Matt Berg: DeSantis said the Pentagon’s abortion policy would “go out the window” if he wins the presidency. “They are using tax dollars. They’re funding abortion tourism, which is not an appropriate thing for the military to be doing,” DeSantis told radio host Hugh Hewitt, answering “No, I don’t” when asked if he thinks Tuberville should relent. — “Iowa Republicans say DeSantis doubts may be overblown but urge him to ramp up campaigning,” by the Des Moines Register’s Brianne Pfannenstiel and Galen Bacharier — “Why would millionaire Randy Fine want to be FAU president? To do DeSantis’ bidding, critics say,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | EHR TOUTS EARLY NUMBERS — Phil Ehr, the Democrat and Navy veteran who launched a campaign this week to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott, says he’s raised more than $400,000 since Monday from over 10,000 individual donors who gave an average donation of just $40. Ehr contended donations show that "we're building a true grassroots campaign" and that Floridians “are sick and tired” of Scott. REACTION — “Democrats cry foul when DeSantis sets House election after Iowa caucuses,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello: “Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back the special election for a key state House seat to avoid having a Democratic victory potentially hurt him in the Iowa presidential caucuses held on the very next day, critics said Thursday. District 35 in Orange and Osceola counties will have been vacant for 200 days by the time the election is held on Jan. 16.” REQUEST — “Defeated GOP candidate seeks arrest of blogger ruled in contempt of court,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin: “Former candidate Elizabeth Cornell, who lost in the Republican primary for a Central Florida House seat last year, is suing [Jacob] Engels, a Proud Boys associate and publisher of the online publication the Central Florida Post, for libel. The website published articles accusing Cornell of carrying on an extramarital affair and preying on an elderly client in her financial advising business.”
| | | | JOIN 7/27 FOR A TALK ON WOMEN LEADERS IN THE NEW WORKPLACE: In the wake of the pandemic, U.S. lawmakers saw a unique opportunity to address the current childcare system, which has become increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, but the initial proposals went nowhere. With the launch of the Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus in May, there may be a path to make childcare more affordable. Join Women Rule on July 27 to dive into this timely topic and more with featured speakers Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO of Moms First and Founder of Girls Who Code. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | RESPONSE — Florida recreational marijuana supporters push back against AG Moody, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: In its legal filing, Smart & Safe Florida argues that in order for the court to adopt Moody’s reasoning, justices would need to toss aside previous decisions and admit “legal error,” including those associated with dozens of other cases involving initiatives. “This court should reject these misguided efforts to jettison established legal rules in service of a thinly veiled policy agenda,” states the brief.
| | DATELINE D.C. | | EXCHANGE — “Three key moments from RFK Jr’s testimony to Congress,” by POLITICO’s Eric Bazail-Eimil: [Rep. Debbie] Wasserman Schultz confronted Kennedy over his invocations of the Holocaust in reference to lockdowns and stay-at-home orders issued during the pandemic. “You made light of the genocide against Jewish people,” she said, before asking Kennedy whether he thought “it was easy for Jewish people to escape systemic slaughter.” Kennedy acknowledged that the comparisons were wrong. — “Rep. Luna introduces bill requiring monthly payment option flood insurance,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Josh Archote
| | THE GUNSHINE STATE | | ‘THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH IT’ — “Parkland school shooting reenactment set for Aug. 4 using live ammunition, judge told,” by Associated Press: “The reenactment of a 2018 mass shooting at a Florida high school will take place early next month as part of a civil lawsuit and will use live ammunition with a bullet safety device, a judge was told Thursday. Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips endorsed an agreement reached by attorneys for victims’ families and former Broward Deputy Scot Peterson to conduct the reenactment Aug. 4 at a three-story classroom building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.”
| | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | | ‘SOFTENING HAZE MOVING IN’ — “Yes, tourism has slowed in Orlando but don’t blame Disney vs. DeSantis,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil: “Rising costs, searing heat and the shifting of post-pandemic travel to international locations and cruise ships are putting a damper on attendance, experts say. Those same experts don’t think Disney’s culture war battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis is a major player, pointing to a nationwide slump.” FALLOUT — “Florida rulings ease concerns about drag performers at Pride parades, drag queen story hours,” by Associated Press’ Mike Schneider: “Librarians who feared fines for hosting drag queen story hours and Pride parade organizers who worried about citations for including drag performers can breathe easier now that a judge has ruled that his injunction blocking Florida’s anti-drag law extends to all Florida venues, an attorney who is helping challenge the law said Thursday. A pair of orders that U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell issued in the past month makes clear that drag performances in themselves are not lewd or lascivious behavior.” BEAR GONE — “Florida won’t hold a bear hunt this year, despite worries to the contrary,” by News Service of Florida: “Concerns that discussion of a hunt might be on the agenda drew animal rights advocates to the commission’s meeting at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront on Thursday. But a spokesperson for the commission said the agency hasn’t scheduled a discussion about a bear hunt, which would be needed to set up rules and permitting requirements.”
| | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | | BIRTHDAYS: State Sen. Gayle Harrell (Saturday) State Sen. Victor Torres … state Rep. Alex Andrade … Desmond Meade, president and executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition … Don Van Natta Jr., ESPN senior writer ... Eric Draper, former director of Florida State Parks … Jamie Miller of People Who Think (Sunday) Fritz Brogan, co-founder and managing partner of Mission Group and former national chair of Maverick PAC … Charlie Justice, Pinellas County commissioner and former state representative ... Tracie Pough, chief of staff for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz | | | | 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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