After a short stint on the presidential campaign trail, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has decided to withdraw from the race for the White House.
But he leaves behind an unwanted legacy in the form of shoes that are back in the spotlight.
With the resignation of Republican politicians, many people have begun to take to social media again.
DeSantis and his heeled cowboy boots were the subject of endless speculation, comment, ridicule and memes last fall.
Now, his decision to drop out of the race as a Republican candidate appears to be sparking a new wave of interest.
Why are DeSantis' boots trending?
DeSantis' footwear drew attention last fall after he appeared to walk off stage during a debate in apparent discomfort, leading to speculation that his boots had hidden heel lifts. has spread.
Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen wrote on X (then Twitter) at the time that “DeSantis is trudging around as if he were wearing stilettos.”
His boots have since become something of a viral sensation, sparking comments and memes about them on X and TikTok.
digital news outlet politiko Three shoemakers were interviewed about Mr. DeSantis' boots and concluded that he was likely wearing heel lifts to increase his height during his election hearing.
said Zephan Parker, the man behind Bespoke Parker Boot Company. politiko: “I have had many interactions with these politicians.
“I helped them with the lift. [DeSantis] Wearing a lift. There is no mistake. ”
Meanwhile, London-based shoemaker Nicholas Templeman said DeSantis' boots had unusual wrinkles in the high decorative upper part.
“When you put your foot in a regular Western cowboy boot, that part just becomes the shin area and it doesn’t bend.”
The boots have made a comeback in some form on social media following the president's decision to suspend campaign activities on Sunday.
What does Ron DeSantis say about his boots?
DeSantis has previously denied wearing Lyfts in his shoes.
he faced the issue during an interview PBD Podcast.
Patrick Bett David addressed the debate on social media, saying: “What they're trying to say with this is that the boots have heels.”
Mr. DeSantis responded: “No, they're just standard off-the-shelf Luchies.” [boots]”.
and when politiko When the article was published, DeSantis spokesperson Brian Griffin responded: politiko The magazine admits it spent money consulting “boot experts” to publish this hit piece on DeSantis, and they tell you everything you need to know about their “journalism” .
“The Governor doesn't pad his shoes, but if you ever needed something to put in a pet cage or fold up and tuck under a table leg, that's the best and best use. I guess.” politiko magazine. ”
Politico said it did not compensate the bootmaker for the article and that the magazine is not published in print.
Why did Ron DeSantis withdraw from the 2024 presidential race?
DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign two days before the New Hampshire primary, naming former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as Donald Trump's final challenger for the Republican nomination.
Announcing the end of his seven-month campaign, he said there was no “clear path to victory.”
His decision comes less than a week after he lost Iowa to Trump and trailed him by 30 points in the caucuses.
He had been criticized for having a flawed campaign strategy and for lacking a friendly relationship with voters.
After Mr. DeSantis withdrew from the race, he endorsed Mr. Trump even though the former president spent much of last year attacking Mr. Trump, calling him “Meatball Ron.”
