'Obvious signs': Messages show top DeSantis official thinks he has autism
Newly unearthed text messages show some of the Florida Governor's top advisors think he may be on the spectrum, according to a report.
Florida Politics reported on Wednesday that revealed a text exchange between Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Republican lawmaker Rep. Alex Andrade. The exchange occurred after Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped Andrade to be his next Lieutenant.
“Incredibly successful people have Asperger’s. DeSantis shows obvious signs that he could be on the spectrum. He’s an incredibly successful Governor,” Andrade wrote.
“Yes, they do have real success. And you can try and justify your actions just accept it. You’re screwed up and move on,” Collins replied.
Andrade pressed Collins on whether DeSantis “might have Asperger’s," the outlet reported.
"Just yes or no," he said.
“Yes he is,” Collins replies. “But it still doesn’t change the fact that you’re trying to change the subject, misdirect and redirect, because you don’t want to accept responsibility.”
The exchange happened at a politically sensitive time for DeSantis. The two-time governor is term-limited and is facing significant tensions with state lawmakers. The tensions have grown in recent weeks as the investigation into Hope Florida, a nonprofit that DeSantis and his wife, Casey, are tied to, continued to unfold.