PolitiFact Gets Reprimand from DeSantis

By Jackson Kincaid

In Brief:

PolitiFact tried fact-checking a tweet by Gov. Ron DeSantis stating that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg downgraded most felonies in his city. Instead, they got fact-checked. 

The Background: 

PolitiFact faced public scrutiny after the organization’s posted a tweet acknowledging that DeSantis’ claim that over 50% of felonies were downgraded to misdemeanors under Bragg was accurate, but they felt the need to add that the practice was "common."

"Yes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has downgraded felonies as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said, but it’s a common practice among peer counties," the account tweeted.

DeSantis's Press Secretary replied "Yes, @GovRonDeSantis was correct. But @PolitiFact feels compelled to note it's simply ‘common practice’ to refuse to hold criminals accountable in NY."

Others noted how begrudgingly they admitted DeSantis was right. 

​​"’We regret to inform you that Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is correct,’" radio host Joe Cunningham wrote sarcastically of PolitiFact's tweet.

"In short, @GovRonDeSantis was right," National Review contributor Pradheep Shanker remarked.

"The ‘yeah-but everybody's-doing-it’ fact-check..." Fox News contributor Joe Concha joked.

Notable Quotes: 

"Most of our public safety problems in Minnesota and nationally would be solved by judges and prosecutors enforcing sentences pursuant to state law. Insane that it's become ‘common practice’ for half of felonies to be downgraded. #mnleg." – Andrew Wagner, Minnesota House Republicans executive director