Ron DeSantis’ height has been a hot topic of discussion, with rumors swirling about whether the Florida governor wears lifts in his cowboy boots to appear taller. Reports on his height vary, with estimates ranging from 5’8″ to 5’11”. DeSantis himself has claimed to be 5’11” during an appearance on the PBD Podcast in October 2023. However, speculation about his footwear and height continues to circulate, especially as he campaigns for the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
Does Ron DeSantis Wear Lifts?
Rumors about DeSantis wearing lifts in his boots gained traction in mid-2023, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Critics have pointed to the unique shape of his cowboy boots, suggesting that they contain hidden heel boosters to make him look taller. The rumors became so widespread that DeSantis was directly asked about them during an appearance on the PBD Podcast. He firmly denied the claim, stating, “Those are just standard, off-the-rack Lucchese boots.”
Despite this denial, online sleuths and even shoemakers have weighed in on the debate, with some believing that his boots are customized to include height boosters.
Why Do People Believe DeSantis Is Trying to Look Taller?
Theories about DeSantis’ height largely stem from photographs of him standing eye-to-eye with people known to be taller than he is. One notable example is a picture of DeSantis standing next to 6’1″ golf star Tiger Woods. In that image, DeSantis appears to be roughly the same height, which led many to speculate about his choice of footwear.
Shoemakers interviewed by Politico in October 2023 pointed out the peculiarities of DeSantis’ boots. Zephan Parker, a Houston-based bootmaker, noted that DeSantis’ boots appeared to have shorter heels than typical Western boots, likely modified to accommodate a booster. Parker even compared the setup to wearing “5-inch stilettos” if the boots were not customized.
What Has Trump Said About This?
Former President Donald Trump, a key rival of DeSantis in the 2024 GOP race, has seized on the lift rumors as part of his campaign attacks. In December 2023, Trump posted a doctored video of DeSantis’ debate with California Governor Gavin Newsom, in which a dubbed-over DeSantis jokingly admits to wearing lifts inside his boots. The video, meant to mock DeSantis, features Trump referring to him as a “little man” and accusing him of using a stepping stool.
Trump’s mockery adds another layer to the public debate over DeSantis’ height, keeping the topic alive in the media and on social platforms.
How Do Height Allegations Impact DeSantis’ Campaign?
Height may seem like a superficial detail, but it can play a role in how candidates are perceived. Research has shown that taller presidential candidates often have an advantage, with voters associating height with leadership and authority. For example, a 2022 report by Statista found that the average height of U.S. presidents was approximately 5’11”, which is two inches taller than the average American male in 2020.
The speculation about DeSantis’ height could be seen as an attempt to diminish his stature—both literally and metaphorically—within the GOP race. As DeSantis trails significantly behind Trump in the polls, issues like these, even if trivial, can affect public perception of his candidacy.
Are DeSantis’ Cowboy Boots a Style Choice or Something More?
DeSantis has worn cowboy boots throughout his campaign, which has added fuel to the height rumors. Western boots typically have a slight heel, and while DeSantis’ boots are not out of the ordinary, their slanted design does make him appear taller. According to Slate, this specific choice of footwear seems intentional, as DeSantis often opts for boots with higher heels even when lower-heeled alternatives are available.
Whether or not DeSantis is deliberately trying to appear taller, his boots have certainly become a part of his public image. As the rumors continue to circulate, they offer both his supporters and detractors a talking point.
How Has DeSantis Responded to Height Allegations?
DeSantis has downplayed the rumors about his height and footwear, dismissing them as irrelevant distractions from the real issues at hand. On the PBD Podcast, he explained that his boots were regular Lucchese cowboy boots, available off-the-rack, and not customized with any kind of height boosters.
Despite his dismissals, the rumors have persisted, driven largely by social media speculation and amplified by his political opponents. Whether this will impact his chances in the GOP primary remains to be seen, but DeSantis continues to focus on policy issues rather than engage with the ongoing chatter about his height.
Will These Allegations Affect His Campaign?
While the height debate might seem insignificant, it reflects a broader challenge for DeSantis’ campaign: controlling the narrative. In a political climate where optics matter as much as policy, even minor controversies can take on outsized importance. DeSantis has been trying to position himself as a strong leader willing to take on the left, but the focus on his height has provided an unexpected distraction.
For now, DeSantis’ team is sticking to the governor’s own statements—he’s 5’11” and wears regular cowboy boots. Whether voters care more about his height or his policies will become clearer as the 2024 GOP race progresses.
