A photo shared on Twitter purports that Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis stood behind a podium that reads, “Lower Age Of Consent” during a recent public event.

man he is really getting desperate to halt his slide in the polls pic.twitter.com/nyOSJbZL7s

— Michael (@_FleerUltra) May 3, 2023

Verdict: False

The photo has been digitally edited. In a video of the news conference that’s been uploaded to 10 Tampa Bay’s YouTube channel, the podium reads, “Lower Drug Prices.”

Fact Check:

Protestors planted themselves inside DeSantis’ office at the Florida State Capitol after the legislature passed education reform bills Democrats have labeled as racist and homophobic, according to Fox News. The bills prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t match a person’s biological sex, among other measures, The Associated Press reported.

“Man he is really getting desperate to halt his slide in the polls,” the Twitter post, which has been viewed over 74,000 times, purports. The post includes the photo of DeSantis standing behind the podium reading, “Lower Age Of Consent.”

The claim is false. The photo has been digitally edited using video from a May 3 news conference DeSantis gave while signing the Prescription Drug Reform Act. In a video of the news conference that’s been uploaded to 10 Tampa Bay’s YouTube channel, the podium clearly reads, “Lower Drug Prices.”

“Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the ‘most comprehensive’ reforms to Florida’s prescription drug market with the Prescription Drug Reform Act on Wednesday in Jupiter. The new bill will require more accountability among pharmacy benefit managers, also known as PBMs, allowing consumers to have more choices among pharmacies and creating transparency in prescription drug price increases,” the video’s description reads in part.

A May 3 press release that has been shared on the Governor’s official website also confirms his actions on the legislation. In addition, the release notes that the legislation codifies DeSantis’ July 2022 Executive Order 22-164, which aimed to provide greater transparency to Floridians around prescription drug prices.

Likewise, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports featuring the purported photo of the Florida Republican Governor. DeSantis also has not made a statement regarding the claim on his verified social media accounts. (RELATED: Did Ron DeSantis Use The National Guard To Block Disney World Entrance?)

Check Your Fact has contacted DeSantis’ office for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.