Protesters interrupt DeSantis speech at New Hampshire fundraising event

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seen here speaking to a gun store in March, was interrupted by protestors shouting “Jews against DeSantis” at a New Hampshire fundraising event. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

by: Nick Robertson, The Hill

Posted: Apr 15, 2023 / 07:06 AM MDT

Updated: Apr 15, 2023 / 07:06 AM MDT

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(The Hill) – Protesters rushed the stage as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) spoke during a GOP fundraising event in New Hampshire Friday, with the organization behind the protest calling him antisemitic as he gears up for an expected 2024 presidential campaign.

Two women shouted “Jews against DeSantis” from the stage as they were being quickly escorted out, while the governor disregarded their interruption.

“You’ve got to have a little spice in the speech,” he said.

DeSantis was headlining the Amos Tuck Dinner, a key fundraising event for the New Hampshire Republican Party. The governor has recently traveled to a number of states in the leadup to a likely presidential campaign announcement. Thursday he attended a GOP fundraiser in Ohio and earlier Friday addressed Liberty University in Virginia.

The women who disrupted his address in New Hampshire are with IfNotNow, an organization of American Jews protesting against the Israeli government and its treatment of Palestinians.

The organization called DeSantis an antisemite, pointing to what it characterized as his refusal to denounce white supremacist supporters and alliances with Christian nationalists.

DeSantis has consistently come in second behind former President Trump in 2024 GOP primary polls. A Morning Consult poll this week found Trump with a 33 point lead over the Florida governor.

He has not yet officially announced a presidential candidacy but is expected to soon.

Trump and DeSantis-aligned super PACs have already begun airing attack ads on the others’ candidate. On Friday, a pro-Trump PAC released an ad mocking DeSantis for an alleged incident where he ate pudding on a private jet with his fingers, and a pro-DeSantis PAC called out Trump for previous comments in support of gun control.