Florida TV Stations Threatened Over Political Ad: DeSantis Administration’s Involvement Exposed
Gov. DeSantis’s Office Behind Threat Letters
Letters threatening Florida TV stations with legal action if they continued airing a political ad supporting a referendum to repeal the state’s six-week abortion ban were directed by Governor Ron DeSantis’s office, according to John Wilson, the attorney who signed and sent them. Wilson, who recently resigned as general counsel for the Florida Department of Health, stated in an affidavit that the governor’s executive staff provided the letters.
Wilson emphasized that he had no prior involvement in drafting or discussing the letters before October 3, but resigned rather than complying with further directives to send more cease-and-desist letters. In his resignation letter dated October 10, Wilson cited his discomfort with the administration’s actions, stating, “A man is nothing without his conscience.”
The Ad at the Center of Controversy
The ad in question, featuring a Florida mother named Caroline, shared her personal story of having an abortion at 18 weeks after learning she had brain cancer. She explained that chemotherapy would have endangered her fetus, and she ultimately chose to terminate her pregnancy—a decision she stated would be illegal under Florida’s current abortion law, which restricts abortions after six weeks.
The state law, one of the strictest in the nation, was enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, with limited exceptions for the life of the mother. The ad’s emotional appeal drew widespread attention and became a focal point in the campaign for Amendment 4, which aims to restore abortion rights in the state up to fetal viability.
Legal Action and Public Reaction
Florida’s government claimed the ad was “categorically false” and “dangerous.” The cease-and-desist letters, sent on Florida Department of Health letterhead, warned TV stations that airing the ad could result in legal action. Wilson stated in his affidavit that DeSantis’s office pressured him to seek external legal representation to assist with enforcement proceedings against TV stations airing the ad.
Wilson’s resignation and the letters led to a federal lawsuit from Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group advocating for Amendment 4. The lawsuit accused the state of violating their First Amendment rights to free speech. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a temporary restraining order against the state, calling their actions “unconstitutional coercion.” In a pointed rebuke, Walker wrote, “It’s the First Amendment, stupid.”
Public Support for Amendment 4 Grows
Amendment 4 has gained significant traction among Florida voters. A University of North Florida poll showed that 60% of voters supported the amendment, surpassing the threshold needed for passage. Reproductive rights advocates have been actively campaigning across the state, hoping to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution.
Following the ad’s airing, Floridians Protecting Freedom experienced a surge in fundraising, collecting over $17 million in a single week. Meanwhile, DeSantis-backed groups opposing the amendment raised just $610,000 in the same period.
FCC Weighs In
The cease-and-desist letters also attracted attention from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel denounced the state’s actions against broadcasters, stating that such threats undermine free speech and set a dangerous precedent.
Despite the legal battles, early voting began Monday in Florida, with reproductive rights advocates continuing their push to secure passage of Amendment 4 on the November ballot.