Republican Newt Gingrich as he attempts to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 2012
Photo: Matt Rourke/ AP
A draft law in the US state of Florida stipulates that bloggers who write about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis must register.
This project goes a step too far even for Newt Gingrich.
The far-right Republican and former House Speaker wrote on Twitter: "The idea that bloggers who criticize a politician should register with the government is crazy."
"It's embarrassing that the bill was introduced by a Republican politician in the local legislature," Gingrich said.
"He should retire it immediately." The proposed legislation was drafted by a Republican Senator from Florida, Jason Brodeur.
It states: “If a blogger posts on a blog about an elected official and receives or will receive compensation for this post, the blogger must register with the relevant office.”
The bill defines "elected officer" as "the governor, the lieutenant governor, a cabinet member or any member of the legislature."
A fine of up to USD 2,500 (around EUR 2,340) is provided for violations.
Brodeur told Florida Politics, “Paid bloggers are lobbyists who write instead of talk.
Both are professional voters.
If lobbyists have to register and report, why not paid bloggers too?”
Legal experts see the law as a clear violation of freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
DeSantis will review the final form of the law if it passes the House, the governor's press secretary said.
The Florida legislature is Republican-dominated and has passed restrictive laws in the past, such as the Stop Woke Act and the Don't Say Gay Bill.
DeSantis said in November 2022 after winning the Midterms that Florida was where Woke would die.
He is also said to have presidential ambitions.
Gingrich is anything but a moderate Republican.
He was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999 and ran unsuccessfully for US President in 2012.
He was a supporter of former US President Donald Trump.
US political observers recognized the irony of Gingrich's statement that Republicans had finally gone too far in Florida.
Author and podcaster Molly Jong-Fast tweeted, "If you lost Newt Gingrich...".
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