‘It is a cultural Marxism’: Ron DeSantis’ campaign posts video of presidential candidate defining what woke means after Trump said ‘half the people can’t define it’

Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign posted a video Friday of the candidate defining the term ‘woke’ days after former President Donald Trump said he doesn’t like the word because ‘half the people can’t define it.’

At a campaign stop in Iowa, NBC reporter Dasha Burns asked the Florida governor about Trump’s comments.

‘[Trump] said he doesn’t like to use the word “woke” because people don’t know what it means. That’s obviously a big part of your messaging. What do you say to that?’ she inquired.

‘Look, we know what woke is, it’s a form of cultural Marxism,’ responded DeSantis.

‘It’s about putting merit and achievement behind identity politics, and it’s basically a war on the truth. And as that has infected institutions, and it has corrupted institutions. So, you’ve got to be willing to fight the woke, we’ve done that in Florida, and we proudly consider ourselves the state where woke goes to die.’

The DeSantis War Room – the candidate’s rapid response Twitter operation – retweeted the clip over the weekend and wrote: ‘Asked to define WOKE, @RonDeSantis does not miss a beat:

‘It’s a form of Cultural Marxism…It’s a war on truth.”

Trump – who along with DeSantis are considered the front-runners for the 2024 Republican party nomination – had made his statement blasting the term ‘woke’ earlier in the week at a campaign stop in Urbandale, Iowa. 

The third-time presidential candidate said: ‘I don’t like the term ‘woke,’ because I hear the term ‘woke woke woke’…it’s just a term they use, half the people can’t define it, they don’t know what it is.’ 

U.S. Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Roast and Ride’ event hosted by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst while campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. June 3, 2023

Republicans have long defined ‘woke’ as an umbrella term for progressive ideology and actions that undermine freedom and American ideals.

The term had been used to describe the progressive position on a number of culture war issues, including allowing transgender girls and women to compete against biological females in sporting contests, as many argue it creates an unfair advantage. Swimmer Riley Gaines has long been an outspoken critic of trans girls in women’s sports. 

Other examples include US corporations taking public positions or pushing liberal ideals on consumers. Most notably, Bud Light has experienced a $27billion decline in value as boycotts have lasted for months after the company’s disastrous partnership with trans Dylan Mulvaney. 

Critical Race Theory being used in schools has also been used to push a ‘woke’ agenda and a target for conservatives. 

DeSantis has identified fighting wokeness as a key pillar of his presidential campaign and has said he plans to expunge ‘woke ideology’ in the US.

When asked recently during a Fox News interview why it was the right time for him to run for president, DeSantis said: 

‘Because everyone knows if I’m the nominee, I will beat Biden and I will serve two terms and I will be able to destroy leftism in this country and leave woke ideology on the dustbin of history.’

Casey DeSantis sported a leather jacket with a message in 90-degree Iowa last week: ‘Where woke goes to die’ was emblazoned across her back

CRT and its use in school has become a target of those trying to fight the ‘woke’ agenda and keep progressive ideas away 

On Saturday, DeSantis’ wife, Casey DeSantis, was spotted in the scorching Iowa heat sporting a leather jacket with the words ‘WHERE WOKE GOES TO DIE’ emblazoned on the back.

The design also featured an outline of the state of Florida and a snapping alligator.

DeSantis is currently polling close to 40 points behind Donald Trump, according to most presidential primary surveys in the early days of the primary.

Following an overwhelming reelection to the governor’s mansion in November, DeSantis began the year with some leads over Trump. 

But those leads have dissipated over the opening months of 2023, and DeSantis’ botched presidential announcement two weeks ago failed to earn him an initial bump that would put him closer to Trump’s polling range.