The liberal media never loses sight of the vast potential Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis represents when it comes to the future of the Republican Party and never passes on an opportunity to disparage him.
The latest journalistic contortion centers on a law that permits residents to use lethal force against a bear if they believe there is an “imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury” to a person, pet, or substantial damage to a dwelling.
And while Newsweek reported as much, the outlet ran with this headline: “Ron DeSantis Signing New Law About Killing Bears Raises Eyebrows.”
The article said HB 87, which DeSantis signed into law on Friday, is “sparking debate and concern among wildlife advocates and others.” Of course, the alternative to not using lethal force when under “imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury” is a potential fatal mauling.
DeSantis Communications Director Bryan Griffin responded on social media to Newsweek’s headline choice, cleverly using a capital D — as in Democrat — to spell out the term “editor.”
“The @Newsweek e(D)itors who write headlines didn’t think it was worth mentioning the law only permits killing a bear if in ‘imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury,'” Griffin posted on X.
The @Newsweek e(D)itors who write headlines didn’t think it was worth mentioning the law only permits killing a bear if in “imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.” https://t.co/MQhpICpQ2f
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) June 24, 2024
Florida Democrats also got in on the distortion game, as seen when State Rep. Anna Eskamani (Orlando) bemoaned in a post on X that DeSantis “signed multiple bills into law, including legislation that makes it easier to shoot and kill black bears.”
On a Friday night DeSantis just signed multiple bills into law, including legislation that makes it easier to shoot and kill black bears (HB87) and legislation that guts Florida’s ethics commission agencies. Very disappointing. pic.twitter.com/CpI5ObaGHH
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (@AnnaForFlorida) June 21, 2024
The irony here is that Eskamani is a former Planned Parenthood executive who continues to make the right to kill an unborn child a central part of her legislative efforts.
Yet, the efforts to tarnish Ron DeSantis over every little thing pays off with her low-information base:
He’s just signed open season on our Bears. I hate him now more than ever. We somehow must protect them or our National Forests will be up for development for his Corporate Donors.
Just my mind working overtime because we know him by now.— Diane Hankinson (@DianeHankinson5) June 22, 2024
However, as one social media user noted, not only are there “a LOT” of black bears in the Free State of Florida, but the number of encounters with humans is equally high:
What should raise eyebrows is that not only do we have “Florida man” we also have “Florida Black Bear”.
And a LOT of them- Here’s a “heat map” of bear encounters from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. (https://t.co/b06DJumhn2) pic.twitter.com/wlYd9s4U4o
— Anthem (@AnthemBurger) June 25, 2024
For the record, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lists 39 reported “incidents of physical contact” between a black bear and a human stemming back to 2006.
Here’s a quick sampling of other sensible responses to the story, as seen on X:
You don’t hate journalists enough
— MJG (@cynicalgenxdad) June 24, 2024
Did @peta write this headline?
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) June 24, 2024
Bruh. Do y’all over there at “News Weak” even read your own articles? pic.twitter.com/TtHAowdY6U
— Florida Grand (@florida_grand) June 24, 2024
So you think it’s controversial that the law allows killing bears if they are attacking you or your children?
Did you read the law or were you just told to put out a hit piece on @GovRonDeSantis & dutifully cranked out your activist garbage?
— JW (@C130GuyBNA) June 24, 2024
Newsweek: If a bear wants to attack you, you should not be able to defend yourself.
— Ham (@zedidutch) June 24, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
- ‘WOW!’ CBS goes full Nick Shirley in California - March 20, 2026
- ‘PAPER TIGER!’ Trump calls NATO members ‘cowards’ over Iran - March 20, 2026
- Just like that, San Francisco removes statue of Cesar Chavez - March 20, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.