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It was, in other words, meant to look presidential.

The undeniable backdrop of DeSantis’ second term is his likely 2024 presidential bid, a move that would put him on a collision course with former President Donald Trump, who declared his candidacy in mid-November after Republicans, including his endorsed candidates, underperformed in the midterms. Trump’s endorsement catapulted DeSantis to victory in 2018, but the relationship between the two has soured as the likelihood of a White House-focused collision inches closer to reality.

Much of DeSantis’ 16-minute speech Tuesday focused on juxtaposing Florida during his first term with other states and the federal government. He did not mention President Joe Biden by name, but devoted much of his time criticizing the current president’s policies, including immigration, pandemic restrictions and inflation — themes not often found in state-level inauguration addresses.

“Florida’s success has been made more difficult by the floundering federal establishment in Washington, D.C.,” DeSantis said. “The federal government has gone on an inflationary spending binge that has left our nation weaker and our citizens poorer. It has enacted pandemic restrictions and mandates — based more on ideology and politics than on sound science — and this has eroded freedom and stunted commerce.”

DeSantis did not provide any details on his top priorities for his second term, and he didn’t mention gun rights or increased abortion restrictions, even though he has expressed interest in pushing ahead with legislation in both areas that could bolster a presidential bid.

“If he runs, he’ll be a great alternative, but I’m not going to prejudge whether he’s running or not,” said Jeb Bush, the only former Florida governor to attend the inauguration, and whose 2016 presidential campaign was ended by Trump. “He’s got a proven record as the governor of the greatest state.”

“That’s a great platform to run on,” he added.

For most of 2022, DeSantis was often ahead in early 2024 Republican presidential primary polls or running neck-and-neck with Trump. DeSantis has brushed off questions about whether he plans to run for president, but many Republicans are clamoring for his candidacy, especially those who have grown weary of the constant drama and legal fights surrounding Trump, or those who never supported him from the beginning.

DeSantis’ first term in office was defined, in part, by an evolving governing style. His first two years were marked by policies that earned him cautious bipartisan support and mid-60 percent approval ratings. Over the past few years, however, he has focused on issues that excite his right-wing base such as fighting against Covid-19 mandates or “woke” lessons in K-12 and higher education. Taking on those issues built his reputation nationally and turned him into one of the Democrat’s biggest political boogeymen.

His remarks Tuesday offered little doubt that his second term will be defined by a continued focus on culture war battles as he builds his national resume ahead of announcing a likely presidential bid, with many expecting him to declare sometime in spring.

“We reject this woke ideology. We seek normalcy, not philosophical lunacy. We will not allow reality, facts, and truth to become optional,” DeSantis said, tapping into the sort of partisan rhetoric that has become his calling card. “We will never surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die.”

DeSantis enters his second term with a huge political mandate. He won his reelection bid by a historic 19 points over Democrat Charlie Crist, in the process helping carry the GOP to huge wins up and down the midterm ballot win. It gives DeSantis significant momentum heading into the 2023 Florida legislative session, which functionally begins this month and is expected to set the stage for his presidential announcement.

“The governor’s overwhelming victory on election night combined with his national profile makes him the most powerful elected official in Florida’s history,” said Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist and co-chair for DeSantis’ inaugural committee. “With that much political capital, he is clearly in the driver’s seat to shape policy in Florida during his second term.”

Democrats have decried DeSantis’ rise because it has been fueled in large part by what they see as policies aimed at harming marginalized communities, and a focus and rewiring long-held norms, specifically the state’s education system. DeSantis, for instance, has championed civics training courses that some teachers have criticized as overly conservative-leaning and lacking opposing viewpoints.

“I listened to his speech, and I think we can expect more of the same with greater intensity,” said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). “He put out a lot of dog-whistle stuff today. They will just continue to call anyone they don’t like. We heard more about parental rights, which will just be more attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.”

“He did not address any state-specific issues,” she added. “This was aimed at primary voters and donors.”

Damar Hamlin‘s status has improved in a Cincinnati hospital, according to his uncle, Dorrian Glenn.

Glenn told NFL Network on Tuesday night that the Buffalo Bills safety remains in intensive care but has improved to 50 percent oxygen on a ventilator – he had previously been on 100 percent.

The 24-year-old is still sedated, but Glenn seemed optimistic about his nephew’s health.

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
(Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports/File)

“Right now, they got him on a ventilator, so they’re trying to get him to breathe on his own,” Glenn told the network. “So, we’re just kind of taking it day by day. Still in the ICU. They have him sedated, so just continue to administer the medical treatment that they’ve been doing.”

Glenn added, “Once he gets out of ICU, I’ll feel better myself.”

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest at 8:55 p.m. on “Monday Night Football” against the Cincinnati Bengals after making a tackle on Tee Higgins — medical staff performed CPR for nine minutes on the field before he was taken to a local hospital.

“I’m really, really thankful for the medical staff that’s been working with him,” Glenn said of the “heartbreaking” events. “They’ve been truly awesome and helping him with his recovery. It was a really, truly scary scene to witness that yesterday, as everyone in the country probably can agree with. I would have felt the way I felt no matter who it was, but for it to be my nephew, man, it was especially more of a gut punch to see that. I’m thankful that he’s still here, he’s still alive, and he’s still fighting. We’re just taking it day by day and continue to let the medical staff do what they do.”

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills walks to the tunnel during halftime against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 9, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

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In the wake of the scary incident, fans have donated more than $5 million to Hamlin’s charity toy drive fund — created in 2020, it had an initial goal of $2,500. Retailer Fanatics also said that all proceeds from Hamlin’s jersey sales, which have skyrocketed in the last 24 hours, will all go to the foundation.

“It’s tremendous to see all the love and support that my nephew has out here,” Glenn said. “A lot of people don’t get a chance to see how loved they are while they’re alive, so for him to have a situation where he could have been taken away, and he has a chance to come back and see all that love that he got, it’s truly an amazing thing, and I can’t wait for him to see all the love and support that people have for him. Not just around the area, but around the country and the world, it’s been amazing.”

Hamlin’s family released a statement on Tuesday expressing “sincere gratitude” for the outpouring of support they received amid a “challenging time” for the family.

“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time. We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country,” the statement read.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills is shown during a game at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 9, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York.
(Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)

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The game was officially postponed 66 minutes after Hamlin collapsed. The NFL announced earlier Tuesday that the game will not be made up this week, and Week 18 will be played as regularly scheduled.

Missouri on Tuesday executed an inmate believed to be the first openly transgender woman to be put to death in the United States.

Amber McLaughlin, 49, died by lethal injection for the 2003 killing of her girlfriend, Beverly Guenther. Prior to the execution, McLaughlin could only be saved by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, who announced hours earlier that the state would carry out the execution Tuesday. 

“McLaughlin’s conviction and sentence remains after multiple, thorough examinations of Missouri law. McLaughlin stalked, raped, and murdered Ms. Guenther. McLaughlin is a violent criminal,” Parson said in a statement. “Ms. Guenther’s family and loved ones deserve peace. The State of Missouri will carry out McLaughlin’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”

McLaughlin’s attorney, Larry Komp, said there were no court appeals pending. The execution was carried out at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri.

MISSISSIPPI DEATH ROW INMATE DINES ON PORK CHOPS, BISCUITS IN LAST MEAL BEFORE EXECUTION

Amber McLaughlin was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing her girlfriend in 2003. McLaughlin was tried as Scott McLaughlin, and did not transition until after the conviction.
(Jeremy S. Weis/Federal Public Defender Office via AP, File)

There is no known case of a transgender inmate being executed in the U.S. before, according to the anti-execution Death Penalty Information Center. A friend in prison says she saw McLaughlin’s personality blossom during her gender transition.

McLaughlin was born and tried as Scott McLaughlin and did not transition until after being sentenced to prison. McLaughlin was in a relationship with Guenther, 45, and would sometimes show up at an office in St. Louis where Guenther worked.

At times, McLaughlin hid inside the building, according to court records, leading Guenther to obtain a restraining order.

Guenther would be escorted to her vehicle by police officers at times. On the night of Nov. 20, 2003, Guenther’s neighbors called police after she failed to return home, AP reported.

Officers went to the office where Guenther worked and found a broken knife handle near her car and a trail of blood. The next day, McLaughlin showed police where Guenther’s body had been dumped in the Mississippi River.

The execution chamber at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Boise, Idaho
(AP Photo/Jessie L. Bonner, File)

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McLaughlin was convicted in 2006 of first-degree murder and sentenced to die after a jury deadlocked on the sentence. In 2016, a court ordered a new sentencing hearing, but in 2021, the federal appeals court panel reinstated the death penalty.

Fox News’ Greg Wehner as well as The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Frank Galati, an actor, director, teacher and adapter who was a pivotal figure in Chicago’s theater community and a two-time Tony Award winner, died Monday, according to Steppenwolf Theatre. He was 79.

Galati won twin Tonys in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and staging of Steppenwolf’s production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Gary Sinise as Tom Joad. He was also nominated for directing the 1998 celebrated musical “Ragtime.”

“Every actor will know what I mean when I say that Frank waited for me. He waited for me. He cast you and then he trusted you. Sometimes he knew me as an actor better than I knew myself,” said Steppenwolf member Molly Regan.

His screenwriting credits include “The Accidental Tourist,” for which he was an Oscar nominee. He also was credited for writing the teleplay to Arthur Miller’s play “The American Clock” in 1993.

Frank Galati was a leader of the Chicago theater community known for adapting novels such as “Grapes of Wrath” into plays. 
(Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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He had highs but also lows on Broadway, including watching his production of “The Pirate Queen” be shipwrecked by blistering reviews and become one of Broadway’s costliest flops in 2007 and being fired in 2001 as director of “Seussical.”

Galati became a Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member in 1985 and the Goodman Theatre’s associate director a year later. He remained in that post until 2008. He was also an artistic associate at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida.

In a joint statement, Steppenwolf’s co-artistic directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis paid tribute to Galati.

“Frank had a profound impact on Steppenwolf, and all of us, over the years,” they said. “For some, he was a teacher, mentor, director, adaptor, writer, fellow actor and visionary. Regardless of the relationship, Frank always made others feel cared for, valued and inspired in his ever-generous, joyful and compassionate presence.”

His productions at the Goodman included “The Visit,” “She Always Said Pablo,” “The Winter’s Tale,” “The Good Person of Setzuan” and “Cry the Beloved Country.” He most recently directed Asolo Repertory Theatre’s 2022 world premiere musical “Knoxville,” written by the “Ragtime” team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Elaine Steinbeck, wife of author John Steinbeck, at a party for the opening night of the stage adaption of “The Grapes of Wrath.” She is pictured with Steppenwolf Theatre Company actor and founder Gary Sinise (second left), set designer Kevin Rigdon (left) and director Frank Galati.
(Steve Kagan/Getty Images)

Galati’s long career also included directing at the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as teaching performance study at Northwestern University for nearly 40 years.

“He seems to have five productions going at once, major ones, always juggling, always busy, always thrilled to be doing them all,” Sinise told the Los Angeles Times in 2007. “I’ve asked him several times how he does it, and he says he doesn’t know.”

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Frank Galati poses for a portrait July 29, 2004. He is survived by his husband, Peter Amster, also a theater director.
(AP Photo/Jeff Barnard, File)

Galati won several Joseph Jefferson Awards for outstanding achievements in Chicago theater and two directing awards from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, a League of Chicago Theatres Artistic Leadership Award and an NAACP Theatre Award.

“You won’t find one of us who was fortunate enough to work with him who wasn’t changed by him. He made us all better, and there will never be another one like him,” said Steppenwolf member and Broadway director Anna D. Shapiro.

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He is survived by his husband, Peter Amster, also a theater director.