Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ look at a Honda dealership in Brandon, Fla., to signal laws prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates was extensively seen as a nod to a euphemistic insult of President Joe Biden.

However the head of the dealership group that owns Brandon Honda says he made “zero connection” prematurely of the Republican governor’s go to between the shop’s title and the “Let’s go Brandon” chants which have damaged out at current Republican occasions.

“I don’t assist any disrespect of President Joe Biden,” Morgan Auto Group CEO Brett Morgan mentioned in an e mail to Automotive Information final week.

Morgan mentioned DeSantis is a good friend and requested to make use of the dealership, which earlier governors sometimes used for public occasions. Morgan mentioned he and his father, Chairman Larry Morgan, bought vaccinated as quickly as they might and have inspired staff to take action as effectively however assume mandating the photographs is an “overreaching coverage that might threaten our relationship with as much as 20 p.c of our almost 5,000 staff.”

DeSantis, who a number of weeks in the past referred to the White Home because the “Brandon administration,” did not immediately reply a query in regards to the motive he traveled to Brandon. Video taken on the occasion reveals some supporters sporting “Let’s go Brandon” T-shirts.

American Honda mentioned it tells sellers they need to keep away from getting concerned in political occasions.

“Honda doesn’t endorse political candidates, events or occasions,” the corporate mentioned in a press release, “and out of respect to our prospects we strongly discourage our independently owned sellers from internet hosting political rallies at their dealerships.”