Florida Senator Collapses Mid-Speech at DeSantis Event, Saved by Controversial Surgeon General
A routine press conference in Miami took a dramatic and unexpected turn Tuesday when Florida State Sen. Ileana Garcia (R) fainted mid-speech, only to be caught just in time by the state’s top medical official, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
The incident occurred as Garcia, who represents District 36 in Miami-Dade County, stood alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and other state leaders to advocate for a proposed statewide ban on the fluoridation of public drinking water, according to the New York Post.
The senator had only just begun her prepared remarks when she suddenly appeared unwell.
“Governor, forgive me, I’ve got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,” Garcia said, pausing mid-sentence. Moments later, her eyes closed and she began to lose her balance.
That’s when Ladapo, seated close by, sprang into action. The 46-year-old physician quickly moved toward the stage and reached Garcia before she could fall, easing her into a seated position with care.
“Hey, hey, hey, hey, got you, got you, got you,” Ladapo said as he supported her, his actions drawing praise from those watching the tense moment unfold.
DeSantis and others moved quickly to help, bringing water and fanning Garcia as she regained her composure. The room fell silent for a moment as the audience watched anxiously.
In an encouraging turn, Garcia recovered within minutes. With determination, she rose to her feet and returned to the podium—this time greeted by applause.
“Are you kidding, this was my moment? I could not,” she joked to laughter, according to Fox 13. “Nerve-wracking, but this was my moment. And I so appreciate your grace, Governor DeSantis.”
She proceeded to finish her remarks without further interruption, thanking attendees for their support and displaying the same passion that has made her a fixture in Florida politics since her election in 2020.
Her tenacity drew admiration from fellow officials.
“Guys, can we just get another round of applause to Ileana Garcia?” said Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez after she finished, per The Post.
“Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida.”
The conference, centered on the state’s renewed push to eliminate fluoride additives from drinking water, resumed following the brief interruption.
Yet the spotlight temporarily shifted from the policy agenda to Ladapo’s poised response during the health scare.
Dr. Ladapo, who was appointed surgeon general by DeSantis in 2021, has made national headlines for his unconventional views on vaccines and other public health measures.
A Harvard-trained physician with a background in health policy, he has been both praised and criticized for his handling of issues like COVID-19 and measles outbreaks.
In a moment where swift action mattered, Ladapo’s readiness and calm demeanor on Tuesday took center stage as he helped avert what could have been a much more serious incident.
As for Garcia, she gave no indication that the fainting spell was caused by a serious medical condition and appeared in good spirits afterward.
WATCH:
WATCH: The moment Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo caught Sen. Ileana Garcia as she seemingly fainted or nearly passed out speaking at a press conference today
Garcia ultimately was fine and finished her remarks at the podium pic.twitter.com/Olloxog0AF
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 6, 2025
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