3. Explicit Books and Book Banning

Hannity brought up the debates over the use of explicit, pro-LGBTQ books in school libraries and classrooms.

First, he asked DeSantis if schools should be focusing on reading, writing, and math instead of getting into issues around social values.

DeSantis said that it wasn’t appropriate for schools to indoctrinate children, but it’s also important to respect parental rights and eliminate inappropriate material from classrooms.
He held up a page from a book called “Gender Queer” that depicted sex acts.

“Some of it’s blacked out, you would probably not be able to put this on air, this is pornography, it’s cartoons that’s aimed at children, and it’s wrong,” he said.

Hannity asked Newsom if he was comfortable with books like “Gender Queer,” which depict sex acts, in school districts.

“That’s not part of the curriculum, they aren’t teaching kids that,” Newsom lied and said.


He then pointed to DeSantis and said, “the bottom line is that you are on a book banning binge in your state.”

The California governor called the removal of books from classrooms a “cultural purge.”

“What I find offensive is that a very significant number of these books happen to be LGBTQ book, a significant number of these books happen to be about African Americans, and some of them are pornography. I find it offensive, to ban books that parents don't approve for their children.” Newsome said.

Newsom said that they have sex education in middle schools and high schools “where it’s appropriate which is everywhere.”

He called the book issue “made up” and part of the “culture war and the weaponization of grievance.”

DeSantis responded by saying that California’s schools are being used to “impose a liberal agenda.”

“He says California respects parents’ rights, this is rich,” DeSantis said. “He’s been telling a lot of whoppers tonight, this may be the biggest.”

He then spoke about California’s education policies.
“In California, if you’re a parent in Iowa and New Hampshire, your child can go to California without your knowledge and without your consent and get hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and a sex change operation all without you knowing or consenting,” DeSantis said.


He called the policy fundamentally “radical” and “extreme.”

“It’s not for you to decide, it’s for parents to decide,” the Florida governor said while pointing to Newsom.