DeSantis proved one point about conservative governance that left his critics eating their words

The Left has been attacking Ron DeSantis for years over his America First policies in Florida.

They claimed his approach would drive away tourists and hurt the economy.

And DeSantis proved one point about conservative governance that left his critics eating their words.

Florida shatters tourism records while other states struggle

Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week that Florida welcomed a record-breaking 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025.

The numbers don’t lie – and they’re a complete vindication of everything DeSantis has been saying about conservative governance.

“People from all over the world come to the Free State of Florida to take advantage of our top-tier attractions, great weather, and our commitment to public safety,” DeSantis said.¹

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1957902191534174219

Notice how he phrases that – the “Free State of Florida.”

That’s not an accident.

While other states were locking down their citizens and destroying their economies, DeSantis kept Florida open for business.

The tourism numbers prove he was right all along.

Of the 34.4 million visitors, a staggering 31.5 million were domestic travelers – Americans choosing Florida over their own home states.²

That tells you everything you need to know about where people want to spend their money.

Overseas visitation jumped by 11.4% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 2.3 million visitors.³

Even international travelers are choosing Florida over other American destinations.

The numbers expose the Left’s lies about conservative policies

For years, the mainstream media and Democrat politicians have been telling us that conservative policies drive away businesses and tourists.

They said DeSantis’s focus on law and order would make Florida less appealing.

They claimed his opposition to woke ideology would hurt tourism.

The opposite happened.

Bryan Griffin, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, credited the state’s leadership for the tourism boom.

“We are committed to keeping Florida the destination of choice for visitors from across the country and around the world as we promote our world-class amenities, unique natural and historical sites, and family-oriented opportunities,” Griffin stated.⁴

https://twitter.com/BryanDGriffin/status/1957911771353608586

Notice what he emphasized – family-oriented opportunities.

That’s code for what parents across America are desperately seeking – a place where they can take their children without worrying about radical leftist propaganda.

Florida’s 19 commercial airports handled 28.6 million passenger enplanements during the quarter.⁵

The Punta Gorda and St. Petersburg-Clearwater airports saw the fastest growth at 22.5% and 14.0% respectively.⁶

People are literally flying to Florida to escape the policies of their own states.

Hotel room demand increased by 1.2%, showing that visitors aren’t just passing through – they’re staying and spending money.⁷

This proves the America First agenda works

Think about what these numbers really mean.

Millions of Americans looked at all their vacation options and chose Florida over states like California, New York, or Illinois.

They chose the state that stood up to federal overreach during the pandemic.

They chose the state that refused to bow to woke corporations.

They chose the state that prioritizes law and order over criminal-friendly policies.

This isn’t just about tourism – it’s about Americans voting with their wallets for the kind of governance they want.

The “Free State of Florida” isn’t just a catchy slogan.

It’s a promise that government will protect your freedoms instead of restricting them.

And these record tourism numbers prove that promise resonates with millions of Americans.

The governor’s office noted that “Florida visitation’s steady growth shows that visitors from all over the world know that a safe and enjoyable experience can be found in the Free State of Florida.”⁸

Safe and enjoyable – two things that have become rare commodities in Democrat-run states.

While cities like San Francisco and Seattle struggle with crime, homelessness, and economic decline, Florida continues to attract record numbers of visitors.

The Left’s narrative collapses under scrutiny

Remember when the media told us that DeSantis’s policies would hurt Florida’s economy?

Remember when they said his opposition to lockdowns would drive away tourists?

Remember when they claimed his focus on traditional values would make Florida less attractive to visitors?

Every single one of those predictions was wrong.

The tourism industry doesn’t care about political narratives – it cares about where people actually want to go.

And the people have spoken: they want to go to Florida.

This is what happens when you govern based on common sense instead of woke ideology.

You get results that speak for themselves.

Other governors should be taking notes instead of doubling down on the failed policies that are driving tourists – and residents – away from their states.

The choice for American families couldn’t be clearer: you can visit a state that respects your values and keeps you safe, or you can go somewhere else and deal with the consequences.

Thirty-four point four million people made the smart choice this quarter.

¹ Eric Daugherty, “Florida sets new tourism record with 34.4 million visitors in Q2 2025,” Florida’s Voice, August 20, 2025.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Thomas Moody-Jones, “Florida sees record tourism in 2025 second quarter,” WMBB, August 19, 2025.

⁶ Ibid.

⁷ Gabrielle Russon, “Florida hits tourism record in 2Q, Ron DeSantis says,” Florida Politics, August 19, 2025.

⁸ Daugherty, “Florida sets new tourism record.”