Ron DeSantis Comes in Hot Against Leftist Claim, Shows Receipts on Alleged Ban

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back against a claim by a California Democrat that his state banned The Diary of Anne Frank. DeSantis noted Monday that the book is on Florida’s recommended reading list and accused critics of spreading false information, as reported by Fox News.

“This is not the first time a leftist has accused Florida of ‘banning’ a book that is on the state’s recommended reading list,” DeSantis wrote on X. “Another lie debunked.”

This is not the first time a leftist has accused Florida of “banning” a book that is on the state’s recommended reading list.

Another lie debunked. https://t.co/cLKme9zgty

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 25, 2025

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His response came after California state Sen. Scott Wiener posted an article from The Guardian alleging Florida had the “highest rate of book bans nationwide” in 2025.

Wiener wrote, “Florida banning the Diary of Anne Frank tells you everything you need to know about the MAGA movement.”

Florida banning the Diary of Anne Frank tells you everything you need to know about the MAGA movement.

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) August 25, 2025

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The post was flagged by community notes on X, clarifying that the book is part of Florida’s eighth-grade curriculum.

Wiener’s office later argued that he was referring to an incident in Hillsborough County, where Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman was removed, along with more than 600 other titles, following directives from the Florida Department of Education.

According to the county, the State Board of Education threatened legal action in May if school officials did not remove titles deemed “pornographic.”

The Guardian reported that none of the books pulled in Hillsborough were under formal review by the district or flagged by local parents. The outlet added that parents already had the option to opt their children out of certain books without affecting entire classes.

Florida officials pushed back, stressing that the original Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank was never banned. “There are no books banned in Florida,” DeSantis’ office told Fox News Digital.

“One of those books was Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman, not The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Folman’s so-called ‘adaptation’ is nothing more than an imitation that diminishes the gravity of the Holocaust.”

Officials said the claims are being spread to mislead the public.

“Far-left activists are intentionally spreading lies to confuse parents rather than share about the world-class education Florida is providing students. Florida banning Anne Frank is a hoax, and they know it,” the statement continued.

DeSantis’ education policies, including the Parental Rights in Education Act, have drawn repeated criticism from Democrats. The law prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for K-12 students.

Hillsborough County School District has not issued a direct comment following the renewed debate.

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