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The best Ron DeSantis memes: Internet has field day after Florida Governor accused of wearing 'heels'

The meme wave began after Patrick Bet-David confronted Ron DeSantis on his podcast about allegations of wearing hidden shoe lifts to boost his height

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Republican Ron DeSantis found himself at the center of an internet meme storm, with netizens taking aim at his choice of footwear. The flood of memes began after podcaster Patrick Bet-David confronted him on the 'PBD Podcast' about allegations of wearing hidden shoe lifts to boost his height for political appeal.

Speculation had long swirled around the Florida Governor and Republican Presidential candidate, suggesting that he had a penchant for tall heels or height-enhancing insoles in his shoes. Initially dismissed as "cowboy boots", the scrutiny intensified following his appearance on Bill Maher's show, where eagle-eyed viewers noticed what appeared to be concealed high heels.

Patrick Bet-David confronts Ron DeSantis

Bet-David wasted no time in displaying viral images of DeSantis donning cowboy boots with suspiciously enhanced heels. DeSantis, however, swiftly denied the rumors, insisting that his boots were "standard, off-the-rack Lucchese boots."

But the podcaster's curiosity couldn't be quelled as he probed DeSantis about his height, to which, the governor answered that he is 5 feet, 11 inches. When asked why he didn't opt for sneakers or dress shoes, DeSantis replied, "I do wear tennis shoes when I work out."

The exchange culminated with an attempted gift of Ferragamo shoes, which DeSantis declined, citing his inability to accept gifts.

Social media reactions

The denial may have temporarily silenced the chatter, but the internet has an impeccable memory.

As one X user put it, "Ron DeSantis really went from the top governor in America to having to go on live TV and promise people he isn't wearing lifts in his boots. It didn't have to be this way, Ron. You chose this. Remember that."

Another chimed in, sharing a graphic that humorously reinforced the claim, "Insecure Ron DeSantis wears lifts."

"If Team DeSantis doesn’t want everyone talking about his lifts and heels, then he needs to stop strutting around in them. DeSantis needs to stop bragging and being sassy about how much he loves heels. It’s not Team Trump making this a story, it’s Ron DeSantis," another quipped, sharing a photoshopped image of the governor wearing knee-high cowgirl boots.

"Nobody cares about height, but they care when you choose to lie about it. All 5'8" of him at best. We all know he is NOT 5'11" LOL," another added.

And the memes just kept rolling in.

Ron DeSantis defends himself after allegations of wearing 'heels'

During the podcast, DeSantis tried to brush off the sartorial critique, stating that this is simply "how politics work". He even drew an analogy to baseball legend Yogi Berra, who was once told he didn't look like a typical New York Yankees player.

According to DeSantis, Berra responded with, "You don't hit a baseball with your face."

DeSantis continued to defend himself, asserting that critics couldn't find fault with his leadership or policies.

"People that are poking at you for different things, that's fine, but ultimately I think it's a sign of strength," he said.

"We've been an exemplary leader. We've gotten things done. We would be somebody that would be obviously a really strong candidate, and that's part of the reason the media attacks me and everything like that," he added.