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A viral video clip of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis discussing self-defense laws has been falsely presented as showing him defending Renee Nicole Good, a woman fatally shot by a U.S. immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this year.
The clip, which shows DeSantis speaking about citizens’ rights to defend themselves when surrounded in their vehicles by protesters, has been shared widely across social media with captions suggesting he was specifically addressing Good’s case. One such caption read, “Ron DeSantis defends Renee Good,” while others claimed, “Desantis speaks up in favor of the woman slain by ICE #ReneeNicoleGood” and “Is Trump listening?”
In reality, the video was filmed in June 2025, seven months before the January 7, 2026 shooting that claimed Good’s life during an immigration enforcement operation that was part of President Donald Trump’s nationwide crackdown on migrants. The clip was originally uploaded to “The Rubin Report” YouTube channel on June 11, 2025, ahead of planned “No Kings” protests.
In the misleadingly shared footage, DeSantis states: “And we also have a policy that if you’re driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety. And so, if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you. You don’t have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets. You have a right to defend yourself in Florida.”
Christina Pushaw, a member of DeSantis’ staff, responded to the mischaracterization on January 8, clarifying that the governor’s comments were being misrepresented. DeSantis himself reposted Pushaw’s remarks with the caption “Intentionally false framing,” explicitly rejecting the connection between his earlier comments and Good’s case. Molly Beast, press secretary at the Florida governor’s executive office, directed Reuters to this social media post when asked for comment.
The tragic shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement tactics. Democratic leaders and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have rejected the Trump administration’s claim that the agent fired in self-defense.
President Trump claimed in a January 7 Truth Social post that Good had “viciously ran over” the agent who shot her. However, videos verified by Reuters contradict this account. The footage shows Good attempting to drive away in her car when a federal officer approached her vehicle, which police said was blocking traffic.
Reuters analysis of the incident revealed that Good was surrounded by at least three agents, with one standing in front of her vehicle before drawing his weapon and firing three times. The first shot penetrated the windshield, while the second and third shots were fired into the driver’s side as the car continued moving past the agent. The entire confrontation unfolded in just 20 seconds.
The incident occurred during a period of heightened immigration enforcement actions ordered by the Trump administration, with federal agents conducting operations in cities across the country, including Minneapolis. The shooting has intensified scrutiny of these enforcement tactics and raised questions about the use of deadly force by immigration officials.
The misleading characterization of DeSantis’ comments illustrates the increasingly complex information landscape surrounding politically charged events, where older statements are frequently taken out of context and repurposed to appear relevant to current controversies.
Fact Checker
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9 Comments
I appreciate the detailed analysis here. It’s clear the video was taken out of context and incorrectly applied to a different situation. Fact-checking is crucial to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Agreed. Verifying the timeline and original context of the video is important to avoid perpetuating false narratives. Careful research is needed to provide accurate information to the public.
It’s disappointing to see this kind of misinformation spreading, but I’m glad the Disinformation Commission is on top of it. Fact-checking is an important safeguard against the erosion of truth.
This fact check highlights the need to be cautious about viral social media content and to seek out credible sources. Spreading unverified claims, even with good intentions, can be misleading.
Absolutely. It’s easy for misinformation to spread quickly online. Taking the time to properly fact-check claims before sharing them is the responsible thing to do.
This is an interesting fact check on the misleading video about Gov. DeSantis’ comments. It’s important to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like self-defense laws and immigration enforcement.
The timeline discrepancy is a clear indication that the video was being used out of context. Fact-checking is essential to maintain public trust and prevent the spread of false narratives.
I’m glad this fact check was done to set the record straight. Verifying the original context and timing of a video clip is crucial before making claims about its meaning or implications.
This is a good example of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking, especially when it comes to politically charged issues. Jumping to conclusions based on misleading information can be very harmful.