Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a jab at California Governor Gavin Newsom, suggesting that Newsom’s Republican father-in-law, Kenneth Siebel, is “much happier” living in Florida. This claim was made during a conversation on the “Hangouts” podcast, which was highlighted in a report from The Californian Post.
Siebel, who became a resident of Florida in 2020 after buying a Naples home for $3.3 million, has not commented on these remarks or confirmed any interaction with DeSantis.
During the podcast, DeSantis recounted a conversation he had with Siebel at a fundraiser, where Siebel allegedly said, “You run such a great state. It’s so refreshing to be here. We’ve never been happier. I love how everything is going.” It seems Siebel casually mentioned, “Oh, by the way, I’m Gavin Newsom’s father-in-law,” which sparked laughter among attendees.
In response, Newsom’s office dismissed the claims with a light-hearted jab, referring to DeSantis as “Meatball Ron.” A spokesperson pointed out that the Florida governor has repeatedly shared this story, highlighting his connection to a prominent Republican family.
Interestingly, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Newsom’s wife, was once a registered Republican and came from a conservative background before becoming an independent voter in 2008, following her marriage to Newsom.
The podcast discussion also touched on California’s financial issues, with DeSantis sharing that the state has some of the highest taxes in the nation. Hannity, the host, criticized the state for not balancing its budget and questioned Newsom’s ambitions for the presidency.
DeSantis noted that this narrative reflects a broader trend: many Californians are moving to states like Florida. Census data supports this influx, showing that Florida is becoming an increasingly popular destination for those leaving California. A U-Haul Growth Index backs this up, indicating that California experiences significant out-migration.
However, when examining the numbers on a per capita basis, the migration flow between California and Florida appears more balanced, with research suggesting that slightly more Floridians may be moving to California than the other way around.
In a previous interview, Siebel had accused DeSantis of being a “lying slimeball” after DeSantis claimed the Siebels left California for Florida. Siebel clarified that they had actually moved from Montana and left California several years earlier.
