'Ridiculous and pathetic': MAGA turns on itself over bid to boot controversial candidate

A firebrand candidate for governor of Florida who has become infamous for white supremacist antics is being targeted by a lawsuit from one of his opponents to throw him off the ballot — but even some MAGA commentators who oppose that candidate are lashing out over the move.

Earlier this week, Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announced a lawsuit against Republican hedge fund manager James Fishback, who is seeking to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis, alleging he has not met the constitutional eligibility requirements.

"According to public records ... between 2020 and 2026, Fishback registered to vote and voted in Washington, D.C., purchased property in Washington, D.C., signed mortgage documents requiring him to occupy that property as his principal residence, and received a D.C. Homestead Deduction tied to D.C. domicile and principal residence," said Collins in a statement, arguing this means Fishback did not live in Florida for the seven years required to be eligible to run for governor.

"We can't afford to play games with Florida's Constitution that would end up handing the Governor's Mansion to Democrat David Jolly on August 19," said Collins. "James Fishback has spent months telling Florida Republicans his polls show him in first place and that he meets Florida's constitutional residency requirements. If he's telling the truth, then this lawsuit should be the easiest thing he's done all campaign."

YouTuber and far-right commentator Jack Francis, better known as Red Eagle Politics, was unimpressed with this legal maneuver.

"This is ridiculous and honestly pathetic," he wrote on X. "Beat Fishback at the ballot box. He’s a moron who isn’t a serious threat to anyone, and deserves to be treated as such. This just plays into his grift by inflating his ego as a 'target of the system' because 'muh Israel' or whatever."

Fishback, who trails most polls behind Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), has spent most of the campaign stirring up racial controversies. He shouted "you should be lynched" at a Black commentator who asked him to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct, and this week his running mate, Sean Lozano, was exposed for allegedly using the N-word online, calling Black people "subhuman," and calling former first lady Michelle Obama a "disgusting broad-shouldered ape."