Florida's DeSantis gains popularity with Trump-like anti-'woke' agenda

Florida's GOP governor has mounted a series of conservative legislative proposals, many bolstering talking points inspired by former President Donald Trump.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent battle with what he considers the "woke agenda" is pushing Florida further to the ideological right and helping position him as a possible contender for president, pitting him against none other than Donald Trump.

As DeSantis' popularity rises among Republicans, DeSantis has been closely mirroring the former president's language. In December, when he announced that battle, DeSantis called critical race theory "state-sanctioned racism" and termed related training "indoctrination."

Nearly a year before, Trump had slammed the teaching of the origins of slavery in America as "twisted" and a form of brainwashing.

DeSantis is arguably setting himself up to be the most "MAGA"-friendly governor in the Republican pack, a safe position for a potential GOP presidential candidate.