Florida Senator Ileana Garcia experienced a medical scare during a press conference on Tuesday but quickly recovered thanks to the swift action of Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo , who caught her just as she began to faint on stage.
The incident occurred in Miami, where Senator Garcia had joined Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials to discuss plans for a statewide ban on water fluoridation, according to the New York Post.
While delivering her remarks, Garcia suddenly paused, swallowed hard, and told the governor, “Governor, forgive me, I’ve got to sit down, because I am not feeling well.”
Moments later, she lost her balance and collapsed.
But Dr Ladapo, who was seated nearby, quickly rushed to her side and caught her before she could hit the ground. “Hey, hey, hey, hey, got you, got you, got you,” Ladapo was heard saying, as he gently guided the senator into a chair.
Garcia remained seated as Governor DeSantis and others brought her water and tried to cool her down. Within minutes, she had composed herself and returned to the podium, to a warm round of applause from the audience.
“Are you kidding, this was my moment? I could not,” Garcia joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Nerve wracking, but this was my moment. And I so appreciate your grace, Governor DeSantis.”
She completed her speech without further incident.
Following her address, Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez applauded her resilience and said, “Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida.”
The incident occurred in Miami, where Senator Garcia had joined Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials to discuss plans for a statewide ban on water fluoridation, according to the New York Post.
While delivering her remarks, Garcia suddenly paused, swallowed hard, and told the governor, “Governor, forgive me, I’ve got to sit down, because I am not feeling well.”
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
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 6, 2025
Garcia ultimately was fine and finished her remarks at the podium pic.twitter.com/Olloxog0AF
Moments later, she lost her balance and collapsed.
But Dr Ladapo, who was seated nearby, quickly rushed to her side and caught her before she could hit the ground. “Hey, hey, hey, hey, got you, got you, got you,” Ladapo was heard saying, as he gently guided the senator into a chair.
Garcia remained seated as Governor DeSantis and others brought her water and tried to cool her down. Within minutes, she had composed herself and returned to the podium, to a warm round of applause from the audience.
“Are you kidding, this was my moment? I could not,” Garcia joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Nerve wracking, but this was my moment. And I so appreciate your grace, Governor DeSantis.”
She completed her speech without further incident.
Following her address, Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez applauded her resilience and said, “Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida.”
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