FLORIDA, USA — A Florida lawmaker recently filed a bill that would make it possible for the state to give up to $5 million to a presidential candidate facing "political discrimination" in criminal court to cover legal fees.
Former President Donald Trump, who is currently the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination and a Florida resident, would be able to benefit from this funding should it get passed.
But the odds of the "Defending Freedom Fighters Trust Fund" (SB 1740) becoming law are next to zero: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened a veto and, thereafter, it's "pending withdrawal" from consideration entirely.
The bill as it was proposed sets aside up to $5 million for a "qualified person" to receive to pay legal fees while facing criminal charges in the U.S. Qualified persons, according to the bill, are individuals running for president who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
It set up the funds to be distributed as grants to the individual, who would then use the money to pay their legal fees.
Trump currently faces 91 charges spread out among several state and federal cases.
At least one top Florida leader is for this "Freedom Fighters Fund" — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. In a tweet on Sunday, Patronis released a statement and threw his support behind the bill saying it makes sense to help a Florida presidential candidate from a "dollars and cents perspective."
Posted the same day DeSantis withdrew his candidacy and ended his presidential campaign, Patronis went on to mention Trump by name, citing his ongoing legal challenges from so-called "Democrats in New York, Washinton DC, and Atlantic."
"We've got a Florida Man - Donald Trump - running for President, and he's facing ongoing legal challenges from Democrats in New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta," Patronis said in one tweet. "Also, if [DeSantis] makes another run at it, he's said that he too could face legal headwinds."
Patronis finished his post thread by thanking the lawmaker, GOP Sen. Ileana Garcia of Miami, for her "guts to fight back" and by again throwing his support behind Trump for the presidency.
"Together we'll work hard to ensure President Trump has the support he needs to make our country great again!" Patronis said.
However, not everyone is on board with this proposed bill — namely DeSantis. The Florida governor quote tweeted a Politico article that said "Some Florida Republicans want taxpayers to pay Trump's legal bills," adding "But not the Florida Republican who wields the veto pen..."
The Florida Legislative Session ends on March 8.
