Florida Senator warns socialists against visiting the state with a ‘travel advisory’.

Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) has issued a “formal travel advisory for socialists visiting Florida” in response to a controversial advisory released by the NAACP earlier this week.

🚨 NEW FLORIDA TRAVEL ADVISORY 🚨 pic.twitter.com/r9GFLzIL8x

— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) May 23, 2023

Florida is “Openly Hostile” to Socialists

“The state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by socialists and others who work in the Biden Administration,” Scott, a former Republican governor, said in a press release. He added that the state is “openly hostile” to socialists and their backers.

• Any attempts to spread the oppression and poverty that socialism always brings will be rebuffed by the people of Florida.
• Travelers should be aware that attempts to spread socialism in north Florida will fail and be met with laughter and mockery.

The senator’s comment, which appears to be a joke, comes after the NAACP released a “travel advisory” saying the state has become “hostile” to black people under Florida’s current leadership. The NAACP Board of Directors’ claim did not provide evidence or any examples of the alleged hospitality, while it was later reported that the head of the board, Leon Edwards, reportedly lives in the state.

“Far More Dangerous” for Socialists in South and Central Florida

Scott, who is up for reelection in 2024, added that “the situation is far more dangerous for socialists” in south and central Florida due to the large population of Cubans and Venezuelans “who have direct knowledge of, and experience with, the horrors of socialism.”

In response to Scott’s press release, White House press secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News that “Senator Scott is of course entitled to these wild-eyed critiques of Medicare and Social Security, but President Biden is proud to stand with Florida’s seniors in support of both critical programs—the benefits of which all Americans pay to earn.”

The DeSantis administration said the NAACP travel advisory was a “stunt,” while the governor was dismissive. “We get involved in these stupid fights,” DeSantis told reporters. “This is a stunt to try to do that. It’s a pure stunt. And fine, if you want to waste your time on a stunt, that’s fine.”

Left-Wing Groups Issue Similar “Travel Warnings” to Florida

Other than the NAACP, several left-wing groups—including LGBT organizations—have issued similar “travel warnings” to Florida in recent weeks. Like the NAACP, those groups did not provide any evidence or examples of LGBT individuals being targeted in the state.

Florida Tourism Industry

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figure.