The Courage to Be Free summary

In November 2018, Ron DeSantis was elected governor of Florida and his life changed overnight.

The morning after the election, he went for his usual jog around the neighborhood. Only this time, he was followed by a group of security agents. This was the moment when it started to sink in. He had a new role, new powers, and responsibilities to match. Previously, DeSantis had spent five years representing Florida in Congress where he was just one of many politicians on a legislative body. Now, as governor, he was one man leading a state of 20 million people.

He knew it’d be hard work. But the new governor had the support not just of the people, but of the president. In a tweet, President Trump described DeSantis as “a brilliant young leader.” “He loves our country,” said Trump, “and he’s a true fighter.”

DeSantis had started out as an underdog. Just a few years before, he was virtually unknown. In order to get enough votes to be elected to Congress, he’d had to embark on a relentless door-knocking campaign. But his hard work paid off. By 2018, he was ready for the next stage of the fight and looking forward to being able to make some real changes.

This was the way to do it, DeSantis thought. Not as a congressman, struggling to accomplish substantial policy. As governor, he’d finally be able to lead and make a difference. So, it was time to get to work. DeSantis was aware that at best, he had two four-year terms to get it all done. He had a bold agenda. It included healthcare reforms, tackling illegal immigration, and prioritizing law and order.

But having clearly defined goals was just the beginning. DeSantis knew he needed to take action, and that strong, even aggressive leadership was essential. “The best defense is a good offense.” That was his leadership philosophy. He was determined to make a stand, tackling key issues aggressively.

In particular, DeSantis says he has no time or patience for so-called “progressives,” or the “woke indoctrination.” As governor, he’s actively fought against it. For example, he views Critical Race Theory as left-wing propaganda. In his opinion, schools shouldn’t be teaching kids that America was founded on white supremacy. As a deterrent, he signed a new piece of legislation – the “Stop Wrongs against Our Kids and Employees Act,” also known as the “Stop WOKE Act.” And he’s taken a similar stance on other issues, fighting against “wokeness.” The way he sees it, he’s standing up for freedom and common sense.

Not everyone appreciates DeSantis’s approach. He’s often vilified by the left and by the legacy media. But among the people of Florida, DeSantis has been hugely popular.

In the next sections, we’ll look at some examples of DeSantis’s most noteworthy decisions as governor. These incidents will give you a good idea of what kind of leader he is. And they’ll help you to understand why, according to him, Florida is the future.