Overview

• The Daily Beast’s report critiquing Gov. DeSantis for approving veteran executions drew backlash for omitting details of violent crimes by inmates, a lapse flagged by a Twitter community note.
• Over 130 veterans sent a letter to DeSantis, citing PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and chemical exposure to urge clemency for former service members on death row.
• DeSantis’ communications director, Alex Lanfranconi, dismissed the criticism with the remark, "a simple trick to avoid execution in Florida is to not murder people."
• Five veterans have been executed under DeSantis and another, Kayle Bates, is scheduled for lethal injection on August 19 for a 1983 murder conviction.
• The episode spotlights how fact-checking and media framing influence public perception of capital punishment decisions involving veterans.