Florida State Senator Randy Fine is making headlines again, this time for an inflammatory remark during a committee meeting. In a now-viral clip, Fine can be heard telling a member of the public wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh to “enjoy your terrorist rag.” When met with objections, he doubled down, stating, “I’m the chairman, I can say whatever I want.”
The video, which was posted to TikTok by @middleeastmonitor but has since surfaced on Reddit, has ignited outrage, particularly given Fine’s recent push to ban LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter flags from government buildings, arguing that they represent “political viewpoints.” The irony was not lost on Redditors. As one user put it: “Always tries to look like a badass rebel and just comes off as an edgy bootlicking douche canoe.”
Fine has a history of controversial remarks and actions, particularly regarding issues related to Israel and Palestine. A staunch supporter of Israel, he has frequently targeted pro-Palestinian voices, but his latest comment crosses into explicitly hostile rhetoric.
Adding fuel to the fire, Fine is one of the key sponsors of a bill that would prohibit local governments and public institutions from displaying LGBTQ+ Pride flags. The bill (SB 100) states that flags representing “racial, sexual orientation and gender, or politically ideological viewpoints” should not be flown on government property.
Yet, despite arguing that governments should not take political stances, Fine had no hesitation in making an explicitly political and inflammatory statement in an official capacity.
Backlash and Political Ramifications
The backlash has been swift, particularly in Fine’s home district, where he is currently running for Congress in Florida’s 6th district. Opponent Josh Weil, a Democrat, has been gaining traction, with some Floridians in the Reddit thread calling for voters to rally behind him. “I do live in Florida. I can’t wait to vote this trash out,” one user wrote.
Fine’s rhetoric seems to be part of a broader trend among far-right politicians who champion “free speech” when it suits them, while simultaneously pushing for bans on speech and representation they oppose. His comments are likely to fuel an already heated election cycle, and with Florida’s political climate shifting in unpredictable ways, it remains to be seen whether his brand of politics will continue to resonate with voters.
For now, Fine remains defiant, but the backlash is growing. Whether his constituents decide to reward or reject his rhetoric will be seen at the ballot box.
