Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shuts down heckler in Tampa, telling her ‘Soros isn’t paying you enough’ and ‘this ain’t my first rodeo’ 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded promptly when a heckler interrupted his speech at the Florida GOP Leadership Forum in Tampa.

DeSantis was speaking at the September 1 event when the woman disrupted him. As security moved toward her, he said, “Hey, Soros isn’t paying you enough because you’re not very good at this.”

“You should try again,” he continued, as the crowd booed.

DeSantis takes aim at protesters

DeSantis further claimed the heckler was part of a group funded by billionaire George Soros.

“He needs to pay some better talent instead of having people like you show up,” DeSantis said, laughing before adding, “This ain’t my first rodeo, lady. I’ve seen it all, and you ain’t very good at it.”

This was one of several disruptions at the Tampa event, which featured DeSantis alongside Republican candidates for statewide office.

Later, another protester interrupted, prompting DeSantis to address the crowd directly.

“Let me just give you guys some advice: standing up and screaming is not effective. Okay?” he said. “I’ve seen people try to do this over the years. Some are more effective than others.”

The governor brings up past protests

DeSantis referenced previous encounters with protesters, including an incident involving Antifa.

“I remember I had Antifa charge me, and one of our FDLE leveled them, and it was funny, and it was good,” he said, referring to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

He reiterated his claim about Soros, saying, “I think Soros is tightening his wallet because the people he’s paying are terrible at this.”

DeSantis added that protesters should be respectful and listen, as public demonstrations are part of the civic process.

“But if you’re not going to do that, do a better job at protesting, please. Gosh,” he said.

Open Society rejects the accusation

DeSantis’ comments drew attention online, particularly among his conservative supporters, who praised his response to the hecklers.

However, the Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic organization founded by George Soros, disputed the connection DeSantis suggested.

A spokesperson for the group directed Fox News Digital to a 2025 statement saying the organization does not “pay people to protest or directly train or coordinate protestors.” The statement also said the group considers nonviolent public protests an important part of a democratic society.

The Tampa forum ultimately returned to campaign topics. DeSantis appeared with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the party’s nominee for governor, as well as Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

DeSantis backs the GOP ticket

During the event, DeSantis endorsed Donalds as his successor in the Florida governor’s race.

Donalds is seeking to replace DeSantis, who cannot seek another consecutive term under Florida’s constitutional term limits. DeSantis had previously stayed out of the Republican gubernatorial primary.

The forum was billed as a gathering for Florida’s Republican statewide ticket.