Here's How Twitter Feels About Ron DeSantis Making The Time 100 List
If you didn't know the name Ron DeSantis before the pandemic, you know it now and that's why the Florida leader made Time's 2022 list of the top 100 Most Influential People. Writing for the outlet, Jeb Bush said in the article about the controversial governor's handling of COVID-19, "His approach works," and cited that keeping schools and businesses open was the right way to navigate the crisis. The former Florida governor added that the state is now a model for "excellence" in many areas including personal freedom and education. It's worth noting that more people moved to Florida in 2021 than any other U.S. state with the exception of Texas (via Florida Politics).
Despite the population growth in the Sunshine State and Time's glowing praise, many people don't like DeSantis' approach and have criticized him throughout the pandemic. His policies in general also prompt sharp disdain from some, with one recent divisive example being the Floridian's passing of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill (via The New Yorker).
He may be hated by the left, but DeSantis is being encouraged to run for president in 2024 (via Fox News). His ascent to the national stage is not stopping people on Twitter from blasting Time for putting the politician on its list.
How the Time 100 list is chosen may not be what you'd think
In his discussion of Ron DeSantis on the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in 2022, Jeb Bush did admit, "the Beltway crowd may not like his style" but added his record speaks for itself. It should come as no surprise that many Twitter users were not happy about DeSantis making the prestigious list — which also includes so-called innovators like Zendaya and titans like Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner, as well as leaders (DeSantis falls in this category) such as Ketanji Brown Jackson.
For including the controversial figure on its list, one Twitter user said, "You were once a respected publication @TIME. Not anymore." Someone else put it more starkly, tweeting that Time supports racists, homophobic people and fascists. But Governor DeSantis had his supporters on Twitter as well, with some people celebrating his spot on the list.
It's worth noting that according to editor-in-chief and CEO of Time, Edward Felsenthal, selection for the list is not about picking favorites. "When our team gets together to choose the TIME100, we have one barometer: influence," he explained, which may help critics understand why Vladimir Putin also made the cut (via The Hill).