Political speech, timestamped and in context

Ron DeSantis: “We've retired 54% of the state's debt.”

Featuring: Ron DeSantis, Republican | Governor of Florida

JUST IN: Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces CMU Campus In Miami After Ken Griffin's $3 Billion Donation

Published October 1, 2026

Even adjusted for inflation. If you look at our crime rates at a 50 year low just during my tenure, We've retired 54% of the state's debt. We have the lowest per capita debt of any state in the United States. Of course, we have no income tax, which we're proud of and we'll keep it that … (01:06–01:10)

STATEMENT

Asserts that 54% of Florida's state debt has been retired.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Ron DeSantis in this video

“When I became governor in 2019, our economy was a little over a trillion dollars. Now it's about $1.9 trillion.”
Asserts that Florida's economy grew from over $1 trillion to about $1.9 trillion since 2019.00:43-00:52
“Florida has had more income move into our state than has ever moved into another US State in the entirety of American history.”
Asserts that Florida has experienced the largest income migration in U.S. history.00:51-01:00
“We're doing the largest environmental restoration in U.S. history with our Everglades projects.”
Asserts that the Everglades projects are the largest environmental restoration in U.S. history.01:27-01:34
“This gift here is the largest gift in the history of higher education.”
Asserts that a recent gift is the largest in the history of higher education.05:56-06:01
“If you look at our crime rates at a 50 year low just during my tenure.”
Asserts that Florida's crime rates are at a 50-year low during his tenure.01:01-01:07
“We have the lowest per capita debt of any state in the United States.”
Asserts that Florida has the lowest per capita debt among U.S. states.01:09-01:14
“We have no income tax, which we're proud of and we'll keep it that way.”
Asserts that Florida has no income tax and intends to maintain this policy.01:13-01:18
“It has by far the lowest in-state tuition, which has not changed one penny since I got into office seven and a half years ago.”
Asserts that Florida's in-state tuition is the lowest and has not changed in seven and a half years.01:37-01:52
“Our public university system which has consistently been ranked number one in America.”
Asserts that Florida's public university system is ranked number one in America.01:38-01:44