Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Trump Just Denied Giving Fauci A 'Presidential Commendation'—And DeSantis Pounced

Donald Trump; Ron DeSantis
Jeff Swensen/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

After Donald Trump told Megyn Kelly that he didn't 'know' who gave Dr. Fauci his 'Presidential Commendation,' Ron DeSantis went on the attack.

Florida Republican Governor and 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis hit back at former President Donald Trump after Trump told commentator Megyn Kelly that he didn't "know" who gave Dr. Anthony Fauci his "presidential commendation."

DeSantis has been increasingly critical of Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, positioning himself as a strong alternative on the issue despite the fact his own COVID-19 response has been highly condemned following analyses that concluded the Florida government's decision not to shut down the state resulted in at least 87,141 deaths.


Trump, during an interview with SiriusXM's The Megyn Kelly Show, claimed he didn't know who gave the commendation to Dr. Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, even though Trump was President at the time.

He also suggested he had limited ability to directly influence the employment of civil servants under federal law, a statement that also did not acknowledge the fact that he had on his last day in office awarded Fauci and 51 others for their service on the Operation Warp Speed task force.

He said:

“I don’t know who gave him the commendation. I really don’t know who gave him the commendation. Someone probably handed him a commendation.”

You can hear what Trump said in the video below.

DeSantis issued a mocking response shortly afterward in a radio interview with Jimmy Failla on FOX Across America:

“It literally says President Trump awards commendation. Is this the immaculate commendation or something like that? Did this just happen out of thin air?"
“Give me a break, people need to take responsibility for their actions. They need to they need to own what they did."
"And here’s the thing that’s important: Looking forward, you know, with me, all those mistakes will never be repeated again."

You can hear what DeSantis said in the audio below.

Many also criticized Trump's claims about an event he had obviously approved.


But DeSantis did not walk away unscathed either.

According to two former Trump administration communications officials, none of the individuals on the Operation Warp Speed taskforce would have been awarded a commendation in Trump’s name without his approval.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who was Trump’s White House Communications Director until she resigned in 2020, said she was not certain if Trump had paid attention to what he'd signed off, adding that "to claim he had nothing to do with it is patently absurd."

Similarly, former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a text to CNN reporters that "nothing like that would ever go out w/o his knowing. Esp(ecially) if an announcement was released.”

More from News/2024-election

Karoline Leavitt and Scott Bessent
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Karoline Leavitt Dragged After Making Mind-Numbing Claim About Trump's Tariffs Reversal

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is getting called out after she attempted to justify President Donald Trump's sudden reversal on his proposed tariffs, telling reporters that his actions make sense because he has a master plan to make the world bend the knee.

Trump declared a full 90-day suspension of all the “reciprocal” tariffs that took effect at midnight April 10—except for those on China—in a dramatic about-face from a president who had long championed his historically high tariff rates as permanent.

Keep ReadingShow less
religion signs
Noah Holm on Unsplash

People Explain What Stopped Them From Going To Church Anymore

There's been a perception of a bit of an exodus from religion for the last several decades. But humanity has gone from no organized religions to oppressive religious regimes to rebellion and back again over the last several millennia.

But is the 21st century when religion finally fails to bounce back?

Keep ReadingShow less
Jojo Siwa; Mickey Rourke
ITV

Mickey Rourke Reprimanded After Indirectly Aiming Anti-Gay Slur At JoJo Siwa On 'Celebrity Big Brother'

Dance Moms dancer, Nickelodeon child star, singer, and reality TV staple Jojo Siwa had a rough few months in 2024 over some problematic comments and behavior.

But 2025 is looking brighter as the public rallies to her defense.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barack and Michelle Obama
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Michelle Obama Expertly Shuts Down Baseless Rumors That She And Barack Are Divorcing

Speaking on Sophia Bush's Work in Progress podcast, former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed rumors that she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, were getting a divorce.

Obama addressed the recent divorce rumors for the first time, while also reflecting on the personal choices she’s made since departing the White House in 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kristi Noem
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Kristi Noem Ripped Over Her Lack Of Gun-Handling Skills While Cosplaying As ICE Agent

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was criticized after she had an ICE officer seemingly dodging her aim after she pointed a gun towards his head while filming a video.

In a 20-second video posted to X on Tuesday, Kristi Noem stands flanked by two Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, brandishing a gun. Wearing a vest marked "ICE," along with dark cargo pants and a cap, Noem addresses the camera while the two agents remain silent beside her—though some X users expressed concern for the safety of one of them.

Keep ReadingShow less