| | | | |  | | By Gary Fineout | | | Hello and welcome to Thursday. Happening overnight — While you were sleeping, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a speech about U.S-Israeli relations and did a bill-signing ceremony where he approved legislation that criminalizes behaviors such as placing antisemitic flyers at private homes or projecting images on buildings. Been here before — This is DeSantis’ second trip to Israel since he became governor and falls in line with his ongoing push to advocate for strong ties to the U.S. ally. DeSantis was a supporter of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and he backed efforts such as directing state money to Jewish day schools to help pay for security improvements. Getting ready — DeSantis' week-long trade mission abroad has served as a bit of a foreign policy coming-out party for the governor ahead of an expected presidential campaign launch in a few weeks. Highlights — In his remarks, DeSantis called Israel “one of the most valued and trusted” allies of the U.S. He added that "we must reject those who reject Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. That is Anti-Semitism." During comments to reporters, he took swings at President Joe Biden over the U.S.'s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Contrast — The governor also said that the U.S. “should not butt into” Israeli domestic affairs — another bit of a jab at Biden after the president expressed concern over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed overhaul of the judicial system that triggered widespread protests. DeSantis is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu during his stop in Israel before he heads to the United Kingdom And of course — DeSantis also got asked again about his nascent presidential campaign. In Japan, the video of his answer saying “I’m not a candidate” got wide attention for the way the governor smirked and moved his head sharply. This time around, he told reporters “If there’s any announcements on this, they will come at the appropriate time.” — WHERE'S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is in Israel on Thursday, where he gave a speech at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem. He is spending the week abroad on a trip that has also taken him to Japan and South Korea and will conclude in the United Kingdom. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for Playbook? Get in touch: gfineout@politico.com
| | A message from Alibaba: Florida businesses are thriving with Alibaba. Sales from U.S. brands on Alibaba added $1.7 billion to Florida’s GDP and supported 15,000 jobs and $936 million in wages for local workers, according to a new study by NDP Analytics. Learn about Alibaba’s positive impact on the U.S. economy. | | | |  | DESANTISLAND | | APPROVED — “DeSantis signs legislation to fight antisemitism at Celebrate the Faces conference,” by The Jerusalem Post’s Tovah Lazaroff: “Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signed an anti-hate bill that would strengthen his state's ability to fight antisemitism at The Jerusalem Post and Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem Celebrate the Faces of Israel Conference in the nation's capital on Thursday. ‘We are doing what we can do in Florida to enhance the ability to hold people accountable when that really crosses the line into threatening conduct,’ he said. ‘We are fighting back,’ he stated at the conference that was also sponsored by The Museum of Tolerance.” — “In Jerusalem, DeSantis says U.S. shouldn’t ‘butt in’ Israel’s judicial overhaul debate,” by Haaretz’s Sam Sokol — “In Jerusalem, DeSantis teases presidential announcement,” by Jewish Insider’s Ruth Marks Eglash — “DeSantis speaks in Israel amid political turmoil,” by Washington Post’s Hannah Knowles |  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a conference titled "Celebrate the Faces of Israel" at Jerusalem's Museum of Tolerance, Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, Pool) | AP |
MOUSE TRAP — “Disney sues DeSantis, alleging ‘government retaliation’ in Reedy Creek feud,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher and Steven Lemongello: “The Walt Disney Co. is suing Gov. Ron DeSantis and state officials in federal court, accusing them of engaging in a ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation’ in the feud over the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The entertainment giant filed the lawsuit on Wednesday as DeSantis’ hand-picked tourism oversight board declared Disney’s agreements seeking to retain control over development in Central Florida were null and void.”
— “Man vs. Mouse: Ron DeSantis finds taking on Disney is a dicey business,” by New York Times’ Charles Homans — “New polling shows Republicans support Ron DeSantis’ attacks on Disney,” by Florida Politics’ A.G. Gancarski — “DeSantis ally in talks to become Disney World government’s district administrator,” by Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russon MEANWHILE — “Top Florida Republican votes against DeSantis’ latest Disney bill as feud strains GOP,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson: “Cracks are starting to show in the Florida GOP's support for Gov. Ron DeSantis war with Disney after Sarasota state Sen. Joe Gruters — the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida — voted Wednesday against a bill pushed by the governor to rein in the company. Gruters is one of the most prominent Republicans in the state, having led the Florida GOP from 2019 until earlier this year.” ‘IT’S TO BRING ABOUT CLARITY’ — Florida Senate moves bill that helps DeSantis with presidential run, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: The Senate’s 28-12 vote was split sharply along partisan lines as Democrats ripped into the proposal by suggesting DeSantis would abandon the state once he officially mounts a presidential campaign. Democrats also castigated other portions of the bill, including a provision that would sharply increase fines against third-party voter registration groups that don’t follow state law. “You filed resign-to-run, which is designed to lose,” said state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Miami). “The governor’s going to lose. And you just gave him a soft landing to come back to ignore and forget us.” — “Who is paying for DeSantis’ four-nation trip? It’s his second trade mission as governor,” by Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos
| | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... | | THE UNION (NOT) FOREVER — Florida joins conservative states in passing ‘paycheck protection’ bill targeting unions, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida’s Republican-led House on Wednesday put the final stamp on a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis that for years has been logjammed in the state Legislature. House lawmakers passed legislation introducing new rules for public sector unions, like banning the automatic deduction of dues from employee paychecks — sending the bill to the governor's desk. By backing these so-called paycheck protections, Florida joins several other conservative-leaning states in taking up similar proposals that opponents say amount to “union busting” due to restrictions such as raising the participation threshold required for union certification. PROBABLE CAUSE — “Randy Fine may have violated Florida ethics laws, ethics commission finds, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida’s ethics commission has found probable cause that a top Florida Republican legislator misused his position over threats he made involving a political foe in his home district in Brevard County. The ethics commission disclosed its decision on Wednesday about Rep. Randy Fine, a combative lawmaker who is pushing several controversial bills this year dealing with drag shows and transgender care. Fine was recently asked by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office whether he was interested in becoming president of Florida Atlantic University. Response — Fine late Wednesday texted a lengthy statement where he called the ethics commission a “kangaroo court” that has a “personal axe to grind with myself and my politics.” He directed his ire at Jim Waldman, a former Democratic state legislator and ethics commissioner, who made the move to find probable cause against Fine even though the commission’s advocate — who acts as a prosecutor — recommended against it. YOUR LEGISLATURE AT WORK — “Florida bills open the door to demolishing iconic Miami Beach and Key West sites,” by Miami Herald’s Andres Viglucci, Mary Ellen Klas and Aaron Leibowitz: “A pair of related bills rapidly advancing through the Florida Legislature would eviscerate protections for historic buildings and districts in coastal areas across the state, allowing property owners and developers to bypass local regulations and bulldoze and redevelop much of Miami Beach, among many other places. That would include the iconic Art Deco hotel row on Ocean Drive as well as famed neighborhoods such as Key West’s Old Town, the town of Palm Beach and Fernandina Beach.” YOUR LEGISLATURE AT WORK PART 2 — “Florida House moves to eliminate local renters’ rights ordinances,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Lawrence Mower: “Dozens of cities and counties across Florida have passed bills of ‘rights’ for tenants, setting standards around rent increases, applications and evictions. State lawmakers are looking to undo all of them. On Wednesday, the House passed HB 1417 on a vote of 81-33, largely along party lines, and the Senate is preparing to take up its companion, SB 1586, on Friday. The bills would prohibit local governments from governing the relationships between tenants and landlords, like the ones created by Pinellas and Miami-Dade counties last year.” — “Kathleen Passidomo doesn’t support House efforts to ban insurers from covering gender-affirming care,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton — “Radioactivity concerns not enough to derail phosphogypsum bill on path to Senate,” by Florida Politics’ Wes Wolfe — “Gillum trial Day 8: Feds home in on ‘Hamilton’ ticket disconnect, ‘abnormal’ money trail,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew — “Kathleen Passidomo says budget will be done by Saturday, session will wrap on time,” by Florida Politics’ Christine Jordan Sexton
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP | |
AS THE PAGES TURN — Trump lawyers: Notes for calls with foreign leaders are among classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, by POLITICO’s Betsy Woodruff Swan: Some of the documents marked classified and found at Mar-a-Lago appear to be memos written for former President Donald Trump’s calls with foreign leaders, lawyers for the former president wrote Wednesday in a letter to the head of the House Intelligence Committee. The Trump lawyers also lambasted the Justice Department’s handling of the documents investigation, writing that DOJ “should be ordered to stand down” and that Congress should hold hearings on how outgoing White House officials handle documents.
TESTIMONY — ‘I’m here because Donald Trump raped me,’ Carroll says on witness stand, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden: In blunt and at times emotional testimony, E. Jean Carroll took the stand Wednesday in her civil lawsuit accusing Donald Trump of rape, saying of the alleged incident that “my whole reason for being alive in that moment was to get out of that room.” Carroll, a magazine columnist, has accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a dressing room of luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s. She is suing him for battery and defamation in a trial that began Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. He has denied the allegations, saying the incident “never happened” and that she has perpetrated a “hoax.” | 
E. Jean Carroll, a magazine columnist, accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in a dressing room of luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s. | John Minchillo/AP Photo |
— Judge chides Trump for calling rape trial ‘made up SCAM’ on social media, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden
— Appeals court denies Trump bid to block Pence testimony to Jan. 6 grand jury, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney — “Judge sentences Trump allies in ‘We Build the Wall’ scheme,” by New York Times’ Colin Moynihan
| | | | HAPPENING NEXT WEEK! GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from May 1-4. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | | | PENINSULA AND BEYOND | |
‘THE SCHOOL DOESN’T VALUE THEM’ — “DeSantis-appointee New College board denies tenure for five professors,” by Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Steven Walker: “Despite reaching the final step of a Board of Trustees vote, five New College professors saw their tenure applications denied by a 6-4 vote of the panel Wednesday, led by members appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of his conservative transformation of the state's honors college. The board vote came as Interim New College President Richard Corcoran sent a memo to the board ahead of the meeting recommending it not approve tenure, citing the college's changing culture and leadership.”
DELUGE — “‘I couldn’t stop the water from coming in’: Two weeks after historic flood, Fort Lauderdale residents live in moldy homes, waiting for money,” by South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Shira Moolten: “Last Thursday, Shamikah Delcine’s 5-year-old son asked her, ‘Mommy, are we going to live in a hotel?’ The 33-year-old mother of three is still living in the rental home off Sistrunk Boulevard that flooded two weeks ago. The only assistance she has received so far, she said, is water from a local church. In the aftermath of the storm that swept Fort Lauderdale underwater, flood victims are waiting for help as they face new emergencies: layoffs, evictions, and the insurmountable costs of housing and repairs that they can’t afford by themselves.” ‘A BETRAYAL’ — “‘Knife in the back’: Havana Syndrome victims dispute report dismissing their cases,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres: “The Miami Herald spoke to three former CIA officials and two Canadian diplomats affected by the strange incidents who said they are convinced they were targeted while serving their countries abroad. And all said that a recent U.S. intelligence report blaming their ailments on pre-existing medical conditions or environmental factors is an attempt to whitewash the Havana Syndrome affair, likely due to political considerations. ... ‘A betrayal,’ [former CIA intelligence officer Marc] Polymeropoulos said of the U.S. intelligence assessment published in March.” — “20 foster boys allege abuse by Clearwater couple over decades, lawsuit states,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Michaela Mulligan and Natalie Weber — “Miami-Dade becomes nation’s third-largest school district, surpassing Chicago,” by Miami Herald’s Sommer Brugal
| | A message from Alibaba: Last year, U.S. businesses sold a record $66 billion in products to consumers in China on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, a nearly 10% increase over 2021. This included sales from thousands of American brands, big and small, such as Fender, Bob’s Red Mill, and DS Laboratories.
Read how American businesses selling on Alibaba impacts the U.S. economy. | | | | | ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN | |
— “Dwayne Wade said he left Florida because family ‘would not be accepted,’” by Tampa Bay Times’ Allison Ross: “Retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade said he moved out of Florida in part because he didn’t think his family would feel accepted because of the state’s policies toward LGBTQ+ people, according to an interview clip posted by People. In the clip, Wade talks with Rachel Nichols of ‘Headliners,’ saying that he liked Florida’s low taxes ‘but my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And so that’s one of the reasons why I don’t live there.’ Wade’s daughter Zaya is transgender.”
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