Florida
Florida allies back down on $5 million in state funds for Trump's legal bills after DeSantis threatens to veto
One of Florida’s highest-profile billionaires will no longer get state funds to help pay his legal fees, as a newly proposed bill from his allies unraveled on Monday.
Supporters of former President Donald Trump this month introduced a bill in Florida that would establish the “Florida Freedom Fighters Fund” for “victims of political discrimination,” which, if passed, would allow the state’s Department of Financial Services to disperse up to $5 million to eligible politicians from the state’s public campaign-matching funds program to pay legal bills.
The proposal was introduced on January 5 by Florida State Sen. Ileana Garcia and had the support of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis — who endorsed Trump less than an hour after DeSantis dropped out of the race on Sunday, per Bloomberg.
Late Monday night, the plan publicly fell apart as Gov. Ron DeSantis, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump over the weekend, signaled on X that he’d veto the bill.
Garcia responded to the Florida governor, saying she would withdraw the bill and that Trump can “handle himself.”
“My concern was the political weaponization against conservative candidates, and while @JimmyPatronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign through the primary, one frontrunner now remains, and he can handle himself,” Garcia wrote in her post. “I will be withdrawing the bill.”
Representatives for Garcia and Patronis did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
This bill was filed on January 5th amidst a crowded primary, including two Florida residents.
My concern was the political weaponization against conservative candidates, and while @JimmyPatronis brought me this bill at a time when all candidates were committing to campaign… https://t.co/wieqYQ8Woq
— Ileana Garcia (@IleanaGarciaUSA) January 23, 2024
Just 12 hours earlier, the pair had proudly announced the bill as a way to “put freedom, justice, and her constituents first.”
“We’ve got a Florida Man — Donald Trump — running for president, and he’s facing ongoing legal challenges from Democrats in New York, Washington, DC, and Atlanta,” Patronis said in a statement released Monday morning supporting the bill.
“We need this Freedom Fighters Fund because, as the Free State of Florida, we’re facing an onslaught of attacks from the federal government against the Sunshine State,” the statement continued. “If we can help and support a Florida candidate for the White House, that’s just good from a dollars and cents perspective.”
The campaign-matching funds program is Florida’s way of attempting to even the political playing field, offering matching funds from the state’s general budget for eligible candidates running for state offices who receive individual donations of $250 or less. In 2022, the state spent $13.015 million in matching funds given out to candidates, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, per the Citrus County Chronicle. Florida’s state budget is largely driven by property taxes.
The new bill would modify the existing restrictions on releasing state funds to eligible presidential candidates who live in Florida.
Payments for candidates’ legal fees through the fund would be replenished by voluntary taxpayer donations collected through driver’s license registrations.
According to the bill text, the Department of Financial Services, led by Patronis, would be granted the “sole authority” to determine if a politician has been subject to political discrimination.
Trump, who was mentioned by Patronis as a reason for the proposed $5 million fund, is worth an estimated $2.6 billion, per Forbes.
The former president is battling 91 charges across the four criminal cases against him and multiple civil lawsuits. He claimed late last year that he has racked up $100 million in legal fees, The Hill reported.
Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.
In Switzerland ever since, Ignatavicius has steadily improved with each passing season.
Spending most of the 2025-26 campaign playing against professionals in the National League, he notched 13 points (7G, 6A) in 52 games with Genève-Servette HC. He also suited up in 11 games in the postseason, scoring two goals and dishing out an assist.
During a brief stint in Switzerland’s second-tier league, he was better than a point-per-game player, racking up 11 points (7G, 4A) in eight contests.
“That was a big there,” the 18-year-old forward said of his breakout season. “There we go, and here I am now.”
Catching the attention of scouts across the NHL, Ignatavicius was projected as a possible late-first-round pick by several outlets heading into this weekend.
Making history when the Panthers called his name, he became the fourth Lithuanian to be drafted, joining Darius Kasparaitis, Dainius Zubrus and Andrey Pedan.
“It means a lot to my family and to my country,” Ignatavicius. “It shows little kids that whatever you dream it’s possible. You’ve just got to work for it. When you get your chance, you take it. Don’t give up. Work hard.”
A veteran of 1,293 games in the NHL, Zubrus has been a longtime mentor to his young countryman.
“I’m pretty close with him,” Ignatavicius said. “We text a lot. I’m happy with that and think I can learn a lot from him.”
When it comes to future lessons, he’ll have no shortage of new teachers to work with in South Florida.
Priding himself on playing a physical, relentless style, Ignatavicius models his game after one Panther in particular.
“Matthew Tkachuk,” he said. “I try playing like him, his style. I think he’s a great player and I can learn a lot from him.”
Yet to commit to returning to Switzerland next season, Ignatavicius is still waiting to see where he’ll lace up his skates in 2025-26.
“I’ve just got to focus on my summer and getting better,” he said.
In the immediate future, Ignatavicius will soon board a flight to Fort Lauderdale to participate in his first development camp with the Panthers.
“Florida? Can’t complain much,” he said when asked about his impending trip. “Very happy.”
In between on-ice sessions, maybe Ignatavicius will even find some time to grab a pizza.
If he needs a recommendation, I’m sure Panthers fans will have a few suggestions.
“This is just the beginning,” he said.
A diver who was reported missing near the Fort Pierce Inlet has been found dead, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a mayday call around 11:30 a.m. June 27 about the missing diver. The Coast Guard then notified the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which deployed four boats to assist in the search, according to a social media post by the Sheriff’s Office. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office marine unit also responded.
Friends of the missing diver joined the search, departing from Fort Pierce Inlet around 1 p.m.
The search, which included aerial support from the Coast Guard and FWC, focused on an area about six to seven miles north-northeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet, near Avalon State Park.
Around 4:10 p.m., the group of civilian divers entered the water and located the missing diver at the bottom of the ocean in about 55 feet of water. The diver was recovered and pronounced dead.
The body was transported to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident.
No additional information is available at this time.
This story was created by Colleen Wixon, colleen.wixon@tcpalm.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 26 drawing
05-13-30-33-52, Mega Ball: 06
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Jackpot Triple Play numbers from June 26 drawing
09-12-15-25-30-38
Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 05-11-19-27-31
Evening: 17-24-29-34-35
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 26 drawing
Morning: 11
Matinee: 08
Afternoon: 14
Evening: 03
Late Night: 01
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 2-7, FB: 1
Evening: 3-5, FB: 8
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 2-8-7, FB: 1
Evening: 7-0-4, FB: 8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 3-4-9-0, FB: 1
Evening: 4-2-7-4, FB: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 0-5-3-4-6, FB: 1
Evening: 7-0-0-4-5, FB: 8
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
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