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CBS Embroiled in Controversy Over “Intentionally False” Report
Florida Democrats are defending Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis after a heavily edited 60 Minutes interview accused him of running a “pay for play” vaccine rollout scheme with Publix.
CBS News’ 60 Minutes has received wide criticism after a recent report alleging that Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chose Publix to partner with the state for the vaccine rollout due to donations the company made to his political action committee.
The aired 60 Minutes report shows CBS reporter Sharyn Alfonsi pressing the governor over a $100,000 Publix donation made to his campaign, insinuating he, “rewarded them with the exclusive rights to distribute the vaccination in Palm Beach.” The show suggested that as DeSantis pushed back on her accusations, he immediately called it a “fake narrative” and subsequently explained who he spoke with to figure out Florida’s best options.
“Publix, as you know, donated $100,000 to your campaign,” Alfonsi began in the clip. “And then you rewarded them with the exclusive rights to distribute the vaccination in Palm Beach -”
“First of all, what you’re saying is wrong,” DeSantis interrupted, to which Alfonsi subsequently asked, “how is that not pay for play?”