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A member of Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign staff has been fired for sharing a video on social media that depicted the Florida governor alongside Nazi imagery. Nate Hochman, a speechwriter for the DeSantis campaign and formerly a writer at the conservative magazine National Review, retweeted several videos from an anonymous pro-DeSantis Twitter account. One of the videos featured an image of DeSantis with a Sonnenrad, a black sun symbol associated with Nazis and neo-Nazis. The video has since been deleted, and it is unclear who created it.
A spokesperson for the campaign confirmed on Tuesday that Hochman is no longer employed by the DeSantis campaign. Hochman has not yet commented on the matter. Semafor first reported on Hochman’s firing.
Hochman is among the many campaign staffers who have been let go by the DeSantis campaign in recent days. Approximately 40 individuals have been released as the campaign aims to revitalize DeSantis’s struggling presidential bid.
Earlier this year, DeSantis was considered the Republican most likely to challenge former president Donald Trump for the party’s nomination. However, DeSantis’s poll numbers have declined, leaving him far behind Trump in second place, with a more than 30-point difference, according to the FiveThirtyEight average of national polls.
Furthermore, DeSantis has faced increased scrutiny from his major donors and has been questioned about his campaign finances. Recent filings with the Federal Election Commission revealed that he spent nearly $8 million in the first five weeks of campaigning, including around $1 million on payroll expenses for 92 staff members. A campaign spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that 38 individuals had been laid off in recent weeks.
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that billionaire Republican donors Ken Griffin and Nelson Peltz were reconsidering their support for DeSantis due to his right-wing policies.
“After conducting a thorough review of our organization, we have taken decisive action to streamline operations and position Ron DeSantis for a successful primary campaign against Joe Biden,” said Generra Peck, DeSantis’s campaign manager. “Governor DeSantis is ready to lead the Great American Comeback, and we are prepared for a strong campaign in the crucial month ahead.”
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