ToplineFlorida Gov. On Wednesday, Ron DeSantis reacted to President Joe Biden's criticisms of Florida's bans on school-mask mandates and vaccine passports. This escalated a war of words between White House and one the GOPs most prominent rising stars.US President Joe Biden (L) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis talk about the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside. This was during a briefing held in Miami Beach, Florida on July 1, 2021. - Thursday's visit by President Joe Biden to Florida was to comfort the families of those still missing or killed in the debris of an apartment building on the beachfront. Hopes of finding survivors were almost gone. Biden and Jill Biden, the First Lady, left the White House in time to fly to Miami. They then traveled by motorcade to Surfside, where the death count is now at 18 and more than 140 people are still missing. (Photo taken by SAUL LOEB / AFP). (Photo taken by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images). AFP via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsDeSantis claimed that Biden tried to pick Florida out at a press conference. He suggested that his administration's border policies were responsible for the recent rise in coronavirus cases. Biden accused DeSantis, Texas Governor. Biden accused DeSantis and Texas Gov. Psaki also offered a helping hand to DeSantis by tweeting that the administration was doing all it could to assist the people of Florida and adding, "We hope [Gov. DeSantis joins us in our fight.Big Number137% According to the New York Times data, Florida hospitalizations have increased by 137% in the past two weeks. Deaths have also increased by 104%. This compares to an increase of 92% in hospitalizations, and a 49% rise in deaths nationally.TangentIf former President Donald Trump leaves office, DeSantis will be seen as a frontrunner to win the Republican nomination for president. In 2024 GOP primary polls, Trump exempted, he has been consistently at the top of his group.Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
