Ron DeSantis reacts to Doug Ford saying he ‘just can’t’ spend his winter vacation in Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and Ontario Premier Doug Ford (L). (AP/Rebecca Blackwell; CP/Nathan Denette)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is taking the gloves off after Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he won’t be going down to Florida this winter because of the ongoing trade war with the U.S., and instead encouraged people to spend their tourism dollars locally.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Ford was asked if he’ll be going to Florida this winter, as he usually does, given many Canadians are choosing to boycott travel destinations south of the border over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

“Let me tell you, it’s gonna be the first time I’m not going to Florida,” Ford said.

He said the decision was “my own personal choice because I just can’t do it.”

Ford won a third term last winter on his promise to protect Ontario from Trump’s trade war, and his comments came at an announcement about turning Niagara Falls into a powerhouse tourism destination as part of that plan.

Ford encouraged people to spend their travel dollars closer to home this year, but also stressed that they shouldn’t let Trump dictate their lives too much if they do need to go the U.S. to visit family, etc.

“I encourage you to stay here and support local tourism,” Ford said. “But you can’t let one tyrant change your lives, right? You just can’t let it happen.”

He added that “they’re hurting down there right now. They’re hurting on all fronts. They’re hurting on their economy,” but emphasized he has a problem with Donald Trump, and not with Americans.

Swinging back in a post on X late Monday, DeSantis posted a news release from August, saying Florida broke a record for tourism in the second quarter of this year, welcoming 34.4 million visitors.

“Actually we continue to break tourism records (and win Stanley Cups),” the governor quipped, adding a hockey dig, after the Florida Panthers eliminated the Toronto Maples Leafs on their way to a second straight Stanley Cup championship last season.

Ford did not immediately respond to DeSantis on Twitter.

The premier has not shied away from taking swings at the U.S. trade war in the past few months, commissioning an ad featuring former president Ronald Reagan talking about the ills of tariffs and running it during the World Series.

That move sparked the ire of Trump, who abruptly broke off trade talks with Canada over the ad.

The premier has also banished U.S. alcohol from LCBO shelves, refusing to sell remaining stocks even for charity, in order to avoid hurting local producers.