...Republican governor of Florida, stone in the shoe of the Dems and their ilk, maybe one-day president..., had been diagnosed with breast cancer was met with an outpouring of sympathy from Democrats and Republicans alike — but was also greeted with sick jubilation and mockery from the darker corners of social media.
Democratic Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running to unseat DeSantis in next year’s gubernatorial election, tweeted: "Our hearts are with Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis and her family. We are all praying for you!"
After repeating the message in Spanish, Fried fired off a preemptive warning to would-be trolls.
"If you choose to reply to this tweet, please show some empathy," she said. "Casey is a mother of three and deserves our support in this difficult fight."
Her warning appeared to come in response to several politically motivated nasty tweets about the Florida first lady’s battle.
"I feel sorry for Casey DeSantis, not only to get such a horrible diagnosis but also face the prospect of Ron DeSantis choosing between (a) helping protect his wife’s immune system by wearing a mask; and (b) pandering to anti-maskers for his voracious political ambitions," tweeted Canadian comedian Deven Green, who often performs as the character Mrs. Betty Bowers, "America’s Best Christian."
"I wish Casey DeSantis well," wrote another Twitter user claiming to be a "Front line ICU MP." "I hope she is smart enough not to allow her husband treat her breast cancer with Ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine."