Trump Endorses Controversial Florida Senator Randy Fine for Congress

President-elect Donald Trump has extended his "Complete and Total Endorsement" to Florida State Senator Randy Fine for a potential run for Congress. Fine, a polarizing figure with a history of anti-Muslim rhetoric, has come under fire for controversial comments, including his praise for the killing of an American citizen by the Israeli military.

Fine sparked outrage earlier this year when he celebrated the shooting of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a US activist killed during a peaceful protest in the occupied West Bank. “Throw rocks, get shot. One less #MuslimTerror ist. #FireAway,” Fine wrote in a now-deleted social media post. His remarks violated X’s (formerly Twitter) violent speech policies and were widely condemned by human rights groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

CAIR’s deputy executive director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, criticized Fine for openly celebrating the death of a US citizen and called on Florida lawmakers to censure him. “We struggle to think of another time in modern American history when an elected official openly celebrated the murder of an American by a foreign government,” Mitchell said.

Fine, known for inflammatory comments such as referring to Palestinian rights supporters as "Judenrat" and encouraging violence against Muslims, has faced repeated calls for accountability. Despite this, Trump described Fine as an "America First Patriot," backing him for the congressional seat of Congressman Mike Waltz, who will join Trump's administration.

Fine expressed gratitude for Trump’s support, calling it “overwhelming” and hinting at a formal announcement soon: “It would be the honor of my life to be one of your foot soldiers,” he stated.

The endorsement aligns with Trump’s history of anti-Muslim rhetoric, which includes a travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries during his presidency. Although he has recently softened his tone to appeal to Arab and Muslim voters, critics view his endorsement of Fine as a reaffirmation of divisive policies.