DeSantis vows to wear boot on head if Trump will debate him

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said he would agree to wear a boot on his head if former President Donald Trump agreed to debate him.

"I know Donald Trump and a lot of his people have been focusing on things like footwear, I'll tell you this if Donald Trump can summon the balls to show up to the debate, I'll wear a boot on my head," he told host Eric Bolling during an appearance on Newsmax. "This is no time for foot fetishes."

DeSantis's remarks came in response to Bolling asking about an ongoing gag perpetuated by Trump supporters online suggesting that the Florida governor wears hidden heels within his boots to appear taller. The initial theory stemmed from a recent DeSantis appearance on Bill Maher's talk show, during which the governor's awkward seated posture and a discernible crease in his footwear prompted such speculation.

The joke gained traction among conservative influencers after the Babylon Bee's Ashley St. Clair posted a satirical video of herself putting on thigh-high boots with the caption "POV: you're ron desantis getting reading [sic] to leave the house[.]"

The so-called "bootgate" trended on X following her post and DeSantis himself was forced to deny the conspiracy during a recent podcast appearance with Patrick Bet-David.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.