Gov. DeSantis address Hope Florida controversy

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a news conference Wednesday morning in Fort Pierce at Indian River College. During the event, DeSantis brought up the ongoing controversy surrounding Hope Florida, a nonprofit organization spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis that "empowers individuals to embrace their full God-given potential." The controversy concerns a $10 million payment to the Hope Florida Foundation, which is tied to the welfare assistance program and has led to criticism from some state House Republicans. Critics say the money was inappropriately used to help campaign against a ballot measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state last November. However, at the presser, DeSantis said the allegations are not true and are "a political attack against the success of the program and the First Lady."