Prominent Ron DeSantis campaign staffer Nate Hochman was among those who have been let go from the team, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
Hochman, who had previously left the National Review to join DeSantis’ campaign, came under media scrutiny for retweeting several pro-DeSantis videos from the DeSantisCams Twitter account.
The controversy surrounding the videos intensified after a New York Times article on Sunday revealed that a peculiar, meme-filled anti-LGBT video, originally attributed to the DeSantis campaign, was actually created by a DeSantis staffer and shared on a different Twitter account.
Republican strategist Luke Thompson noted similarities in style between the anti-LGBT video and those posted on DeSantisCams, suggesting they might have been made by the same person.
One particular video shared by Hochman showed a “wojack” character expressing discontent with Donald Trump’s record before becoming enthusiastic about Governor DeSantis. The video concluded with the Florida state seal morphing into a version of the ancient Sonnenrad symbol, associated with fascists, while soldiers marched in formation.
The video was subsequently removed after receiving attention for the Nazi imagery.
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Although it remains uncertain whether Hochman’s departure is connected to the videos, Axios reported that Hochman “created the video on his own and shared it through a pro-DeSantis Twitter account,” citing a person familiar with the matter.
Hochman declined to comment on the origin of the video but told Semafor that it was an honor to work for Governor DeSantis. The DeSantis campaign has refused to respond to inquiries regarding the videos’ origins.
According to Semafor, Hochman was among 38 staffers who have been let go in the past weeks as the DeSantis campaign moves to reset its course as it continues to fall farther behind former president Donald Trump.
Information for this story was found via Semafor, Axios, The New York Times, Twitter, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
