Florida Gov. candidate Gillum responds to Trump tweet calling him a 'thief'
President Donald Trump and Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum reignited their feud on Monday in a series of tweets that come as Trump continues to voice his support for GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis in the contentious election.
If Gillum, a progressive wins, he will be the first African American governor in the state's history. This isn't the first time Trump has gone after Gillum online. The previous has previously said in a tweet that Gillum was a "failed Socialist Mayor" and "allowed crime & many other problems to flourish in his city."
Like he did in August, Gillum responded by telling Trump him to tag him directly and urging Floridians to vote early.
Trump's dig seemed aimed at revelations that Gillum accepted tickets to "Hamilton," an award-winning Broadway musical, from an undercover FBI agent probing public corruption in the state capital.
DeSantis himself has been under fire for his comments regarding Gillum and the integrity of the race. Last week, he said that Gillum would appoint “Soros-backed activists” to state positions if elected governor. That took place days after an explosive device was found inside the mailbox at the home of Democratic financier George Soros.
Soros is a prominent Democratic donor and one of the most fervent supporters of Gillum’s campaign, according to the nonpartisan campaign finance site OpenSecrets.
DeSantis has also been under fire for his comments on FOX News telling voters the day after the primaries that they should not “monkey this up” by voting for Gillum.
Gillum has been a target of robocalls, reportedly ran by a white supremacy group, which impersonate Gillum. The voice on the newest robocall voice impersonates Gillum in an exaggerated accent and refers to the Democratic candidate as a "negro" and a "monkey."
"Well, hello there. I is the negro Andrew Gillum and I'll be askin' you to make me governor of this here state of Flordia," the call says. DeSantis denounced the calls and said he didn't know who was making them, although the group from Idaho made similar robocalls mocking California Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein.
Trump at a rally last week denounced moral attacks coming from both sides of the aisle, saying “those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective — have to do that. The language of moral condemnation and destructive routine, these are arguments and disagreements that have to stop."
The race is one among many in the nation where the chance for turning a governorship blue is possible. ABC partner FiveThirtyEight forecasts Gillum with nearly a five point lead over DeSantis on election day.
