EXCLUSIVE: Casey DeSantis’ Republican debate guests included a 9/11 victim’s son who slammed TRUMP for hosting Saudi-backed LIV golf – and an Angel family whose loved one was killed by an illegal immigrant
EXCLUSIVE: Casey DeSantis’ Republican debate guests included the son of a 9/11 victim who criticized TRUMP for organizing the Saudi-backed LIV wave — and an Angel family whose lover was killed by an illegal immigrant
- Casey DeSantis hosted the 9/11 and Angel families at the GOP debate
- Ron DeSantis shared how 9/11 inspired him to enlist
- Families have been critical of Trump for hosting a Saudi-backed golf tournament, while Republican voters call border security a top issue
Casey DeSantis made a statement with her guests at the Republican presidential debate, inviting the son of a 9/11 victim who criticized Donald Trump for hosting a Saudi-backed golf tournament, and an Angel family whose lover was murdered by an illegal immigrant.
The first lady from Florida was joined in Milwaukee by Sean Passananti and his daughter Nicole Passananti. Sean’s father was murdered in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
And she hosted Bobby and Kiyan Michael, whose son Brandon was killed in a 2007 accident involving an illegal immigrant.
Casey stood by Ron DeSantis throughout his presidential bid, and her guests focused on two of the issues his campaign has raised: his military service and border security, which is a top issue for the primary voters of the United States. Republican Party.
Casey DeSantis with Sean Passananti and his daughter Nicole Passananti during the Republican debate; Sean’s father was murdered on 9/11 in the North Tower
Governor DeSantis, a lawyer, served in the Navy’s JAG Corps.
“I am someone who has volunteered to serve, inspired by September 11,” he said during the debate. He noted that he had been deployed to Iraq and that it taught him to “mainly focus on the mission.”
That’s how I would see it as the president of the United States. It’s not about me. It’s not about all those other side issues. My sole focus would be on your future and reversing the decline of this country.”
In May, DeSantis hosted veterans, Gold Star families, and relatives who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks on the Florida Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee for a Memorial Day barbecue.
Ron DeSantis during the GOP debate
Many of those September 11 families had criticized Donald Trump for hosting the Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at his golf clubs.
Sean Passananti is a member of 9/11 for Justice, a group investigating Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks.
“This is what Saudi Arabia is doing,” Sean told the DailyBeast earlier this summer. They buy their way. They just have more money than God. So they can get away with murder with their money. And now they’ve bought American golf.”
The last time Passananti saw his father Horace was while playing golf on his birthday. Horace was vice president of claims for Marsh & McClennan. His office was on the 100th floor of the North Tower, where he was on the morning of the attack.
Many 9/11 families have criticized Trump for hosting the Saudi-backed tournament. The PGA initially opposed the LIV, but later merged with it.
On Memorial Day, Trump hosted a LIV tournament at his Trump National golf course in Northern Virginia. This summer, he hosted another tournament at his Trump Bedminster course in New Jersey.
Ron DeSantis with Florida State Representative Kiyan Micahel on the Rio Grande Rive in Eagle Pass, Texas, in June 2023
Former President Donald Trump drives a golf cart ahead of the start of day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on Aug. 13
Casey DeSantis also hosted Bobby and Kiyan Michael, whose son Brandon was killed in a 2007 accident involving an illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant had been deported twice and was driving without a driver’s license and license plate.
Kiyan is a Florida State Representative from Jacksonville, who has traveled with Ron DeSantis to talk about border issues.
Border security and immigration have consistently been among the top policy priorities of the Republican primaries.
DeSantis has spoken out strongly against illegal immigration. He has promised to finish Trump’s border wall. And he has sent illegal immigrants to Democratic powerhouses like Martha Vineyard and New York City.
Kiyan Michael has been highly critical of Joe Biden’s administration for its handling of border security. She served on the Black Voices for Trump Advisory Board.
Other guests seated next to Casey DeSantis included Texas Congressman Chip Roy, Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick and his wife Debra, Oklahoma Governor Kevit Stitt, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, and Mom’s for Liberty’s Tina Descovich.