Ex-Rep. Blames Trump For Ron DeSantis’s ‘Monkey’ Gaffe: He ‘Unleashed Certain Elements’ of GOP

Former Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) slammed his former colleague Ron DeSantis over his controversial remarks aimed at his Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum.

The Republican gubernatorial candidate landed in hot water early Wednesday after he urged voters not to “monkey this up” by ruining Florida’s thriving economy and electing a progressive candidate like Gillum. Critics called the remark racist, something DeSantis repeatedly denied most recently with Sean Hannity that evening.

After warning Republicans not to “underestimate” Gillum’s candidacy especially since his other primary competitors are now rallying behind him, Jolly weighed in on DeSantis dustup.

“Even in the most favorable light, it was stupid and callous and showed a level of historic ignorance,” Jolly told MSNBC host Ali Velshi, who was filling in for Brian Williams. “He should’ve picked up the phone and called Andrew Gillum and said ‘That’s not what I meant,’ but it does show truly a level of cultural ignorance that he would use that term.”

He then insisted it was “fair to ask” about whether President Donald Trump and his leadership over the Republican Party had a role in DeSantis’s gaffe.

“This is a Republican Party where President Trump has unleashed certain elements where now this language is permitted,” Jolly continued. “And if you have to ask if there was a reason to use it. It was a bad day for Ron DeSantis… This was a very good day for Andrew Gillum.”

Former congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD), who also appeared on the panel, firmly declared that DeSantis’s comment was racist.

Watch the clip above, via MSNBC.