Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trolled over new 'off-duty' appearance during detention center tour

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis debuted an 'off-duty' look as he toured a new detention center, Alligator Alcatraz, with Fox News' Steve Doocy
PUBLISHED JUN 28, 2025
Ron DeSantis looked noticeably different during a recent Fox News appearance (Getty Images, @governorrondesantis/Facebook)
Ron DeSantis looked noticeably different during a recent Fox News appearance (Getty Images, @governorrondesantis/Facebook)

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sparked buzz online after debuting an “off-duty” look during a Fox News appearance at a new immigrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz."

Dressed in a fitted black shirt, slim jeans, and aviator sunglasses, DeSantis toured the site alongside host Steve Doocy — a sharp contrast to his 2024 presidential campaign. The internet quickly reacted, with many talking about the change in his appearance.



 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appears on Fox News to reveal a new detention center

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently appeared on Fox News with host Steve Doocy to unveil "Alligator Alcatraz," a new detention center in Florida designed to house immigrants who enter the country illegally, as per the Daily Mail.

DeSantis announced that the facility will begin processing undocumented arrivals as early as next week, declaring, “The state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s mission. There needs to be more ability to intake, process and deport.”



 

A spokesman for the Republican said, "Governor Ron DeSantis has insisted that Florida will be a force multiplier for federal immigration enforcement, and this facility is a necessary staging operation for mass deportations located at a pre-existing airport that will have no impact on the surrounding environment."

However, the project has sparked legal challenges from environmental groups. A federal lawsuit filed in Miami seeks to halt the center's opening until a full environmental impact review is completed and public input is solicited.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-labeled
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Getty Images)

The case names multiple agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Florida’s Division of Emergency Management.

Friends of the Everglades’ executive director, Eve Samples, criticized the location, saying, "This site is more than 96% wetlands, surrounded by the Big Cypress National Preserve, and is habitat for the endangered Florida panther and other iconic species."

She added, "This scheme is not only cruel, it threatens the Everglades ecosystem that state and federal taxpayers have spent billions to protect."

Internet divided over Ron DeSantis' new 'off-duty' look

Ron DeSantis' noticeably different appearance sparked quick reactions online, with many users commenting on his updated look. 

Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner on July 28, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Thirteen Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner on July 28, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa (Getty Images)

One person said, “Still looks hot to me," while another quipped, “He’s still wearing the shoe lifts to make himsel taller. His face looks worn and tired. He looks bloated. At least he doesn’t have to old frail bruised hands.”

A person jokingly suggested, “He needs to one shirtless pic in his career.”

One of his supporters wrote, “I love that DeSantis dress down when he is 'off duty'!! I thik is so important to have some 'off' and other be able to dress casually.”

Another wrote, “He certainly looks ridiculous.”

“He looks good. Not a model certainly but he sure looks like a good, sensible and nice man,” offered one more. 

A person who was unimpressed by the look wrote, “So it’s Desantis without a suit?”

A commenter from Daily Mail noted, “He looks good. Nothing wrong with the way he looks.”

“Yes, but it’s so freaking hot,” an admirer wrote, while someomne else added, “Looks like your local postal carrier.”

“He’s standing on five inches of rubber. His dyed hair looks ridiculous. A face only MAGA could love,” another comment read. 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online. 

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