Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds recently sparked backlash after visiting the Bay of Pigs Museum, where he met with veterans who participated in Brigade 2506, which attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1961. The post drew criticism of the Florida candidate, as well as mockery aimed at Brigade 2506, whose members lost the battle.
In a recent post on X, Donalds revealed that he and Lieutenant Governor Bryan Ávila visited the Bay of Pigs Museum to speak with men who participated in the landings during the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba on April 17, 1961.
According to Donalds, these men “fought for a free Cuba,” and their courage shows the importance of “teach[ing] the truth about communism, defend[ing] the liberties we’ve inherited, and never tak[ing] freedom for granted.”
Brigade 2506 was a CIA-sponsored group of Cuban exiles formed to invade the Caribbean nation. However, the operation ultimately failed, with some men killed and most of the surviving members captured by Cuban forces. The prisoners were held for more than a year, until the U.S. government secured their release in exchange for $53 million worth of food and medicine.
Internet Criticizes Byron Donalds After Meeting With Veterans
Internet users were quick to mock Donalds and the veterans over their past defeat. One of them wrote: “Got their [expletive] kicked* I prefer my heroes to win.” Another also mocked them: “They fought for a free Cuba 50 miles away from the United States and lost lmao president Trump says he prefers soldiers who succeed.”
Some people had very harsh words for Donalds: “You lie through your teeth to these people and say David Jolly wants to steal their businesses and execute them like Castro. That’s total nonsense, and you know it.” Someone else added: “You’re not fit to lead those men. Your campaign is just more proof that our political system is captured by the predator class of globalists.”
A small minority sided with Donalds, however, with one saying, “Respect for the ones who lived through it and still tell the story.”
The visit was part of Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign, which is intensifying as the November election approaches. Donalds will face Democrat David Jolly in the race, and recent polling appears to show him leading.
