Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) publishes daily vetted fact checks from verified IFCN-approved sources. Each claim is independently reviewed for accuracy and context.
Claimant: Byron Donalds (R)
Claim: Under Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida has paid off “most” of its state debt and now has “almost no debt.”
Rating: BLATANT LIE
Explanation: Florida’s total direct debt fell from about $21 billion in 2018 to $14.6 billion by June 2025, a reduction of roughly 30%. Even using tax-supported debt, the decline was from $17.5 billion to $10 billion, meaning less than half of the debt was paid off.
Date: 10/20/2026
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Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check