Florida Senator Rick Scott has doubled down on his message to individuals he identifies as socialists and communists, advising them against traveling to Florida. In a recent video shared on Twitter, Scott reiterated his stance, stating that such ideologies are unwelcome in the "free state of Florida."
Scott emphasized the state's preference for freedom, liberty, and capitalism, drawing a contrast with socialist principles. He cited personal accounts of individuals who have lived under socialist regimes as evidence of its detrimental effects.
Scott's comments have drawn criticism from various figures, including Molly Jong-Fast of Vanity Fair and MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan. Jong-Fast criticized Scott's charisma, while Hasan questioned the appropriateness of a US Senator seemingly discouraging certain groups from visiting his state based on their political beliefs. Former Ohio state senator Nina Turner also weighed in, characterizing the remarks as "extremely inappropriate" and potentially threatening.
This is not Scott's first such message. He issued a similar travel advisory in May, declaring Florida "openly hostile" towards socialists and communists. In that advisory, he cautioned against attempts to promote socialism in the state, predicting they would be met with derision. This previous statement followed a travel advisory from the NAACP, which warned Black Americans and other minority groups about Florida's alleged hostility under Governor Ron DeSantis.
