It looks like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can’t sidestep ridiculous rumours about his height much longer.
People have been fixated on the Republican governor’s footwear ever since someone suggested DeSantis has secret lifts inside his favourite pair of cowboy boots.
But the Republican presidential hopeful walked away from a chance to debunk the theory during an appearance Monday on conservative podcaster Patrick Bet-David’s show.
DeSantis seemed confused when Bet-David tried to explain the shoe scandal with a viral video, but he refused to put on a pair of very fancy Ferragamo loafers to prove he’s 5 feet, 11 inches, as he claims.
Quickly turning down Bet-David’s offer, he told the host: “I don’t accept gifts. I can’t accept that.”
When jokes about DeSantis’ height-enhanced boots began making the rounds, former US President Donald Trump chimed in with a photo of his 2024 presidential rival sitting pretty during an interview with Bill Maher.
“Tell me he’s not wearing hidden heels,” text on the image trolled.
A different pair of DeSantis shoes turned into meme fodder last year after he surveyed the damage of Hurricane Ian wearing a very groovy pair of white rubber rain boots.
Catch DeSantis’ full interview on the PBD Podcast below. The shoe challenge comes around the 39:40 mark.