DeSantis Says His Use of the Phrase 'Monkey This Up' 'Has Zero to Do With Race'

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is the Republican candidate for governor. (Photo: Fox News)

(CNSNews.com) - Immediately after winning Florida's Republican gubernatorial primary, Rep. Ron DeSantis -- the candidate endorsed by Donald Trump -- was branded a racist for using the phrase "monkey this up" in connection with his African-American opponent.

The controversy was still thriving on Thursday morning, stoked by cable news shows, where indignation flared anew.

DeSantis, appearing on Sean Hannity's show Wednesday night, said his "monkey this up" comment "has zero to do with race. It has everything to do with whether we want Florida to continue to go in a good direction, building off the success, or do we want to turn to left wing socialist policies which will absolutely devastate our state?"

Earlier Wednesday, speaking to Fox News, DeSantis made the gaffe that his opponents have seized upon.

He was speaking about his Democrat opponent, Andrew Gillum, whose platform includes the abolition of ICE, Medicare for all, legislating higher wages, legalizing marijuana, eliminating jail time for low-level drug offenders, and having businesses pay for the education of the workforce they want to hire.

DeSantis said:

"He is an articulate spokesman for those far-left views, and he's a charismatic candidate, and you know, I watched those Democratic debates and none of that was my cup of tea, but he performed better than the other people there, so we've got to work hard to make sure that we continue Florida going in a good direction. Let's build off the success we've had on Governor Scott. The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda, with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state."

On Wednesday night, DeSantis told Hannity:

"I believe people should be judged based on their ability and character regardless of race. But it's because of that that I know socialism won't work in Florida. It's not good for any race, color or creed. So this is not about race. This is about ideas and principles. And I'm not going to let the Democrats and Andrew Gillum try to obscure a debate about whether his tax increases, his single-payer health care plan, his desire to abolish ICE -- whether that is something that's acceptable for Florida. I don't think it is and I don't care what color you are."

DeSantis later added that, "From athletics, to the military, to how I've conducted myself as an elected official, I'm a straight shooter. I treat everyone with respect, regardless of circumstances of birth."

For his part, Gillum told Fox News, "It's very clear that Mr. DeSantis is taking a page directly from the campaign manual of Donald Trump. But I think he's got another thing coming to him, if he thinks that in today’s day and age Florida voters are going to respond that level of derision and division. They're sick of it."

Asked by Shepard Smith if DeSantis's remark was racist or a figure of speech, Gillum said, "Well, in the handbook of Donald Trump, they no longer do whistle calls, they're now using full bull horns."

For the record, MoveOn.org is already using the DeSantis gaffe to raise money.