Tallahassee, Fla. - Surprisingly, the Florida Higher Education Commission voted Tuesday against Santa Ono's contract, which will become the next president of the University of Florida. The decision comes after growing objections to the rights to Ono’s past statements about diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Former University of Michigan President Ono also puts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a tricky political position.

Mori Hosseini, the president of the University of Florida’s board of billionaires, is one of DeSantis’s long-time biggest political supporters – strongly backing Ono as president of the state’s flagship university.

On the other hand, national conservatives (an activist) including Christopher Rufo have built a reputation for fighting racial sensitivity training and critical race theory courses - Rep. Byron Donalds, R-FLA. - Trump allies run for Florida Governor - Donald Trump Jr. believes Ono's past support for DEI policies has left him ineligible for the job.

"WTF! @uf's decision makers lose their minds!???" Trump Jr. wrote in X's post last month. “This awakened Psycho might be very suitable for a communist school in California, but how could he even consider taking on this role in Florida?

"Every member of the Florida board should vote on him!!!" he continued.

Two Trump advisers familiar with the issue said his position did not represent the White House, which did not officially participate in the fight.

Trump Jr.

Ono's concerns about DEI policy and environmental justice were under rigorous scrutiny at the Florida Commission's Tuesday meeting, the state's top education board, which needs to vote to approve Ono's new contract. The board of directors has appointees and supporters of DeSantis, rejecting the contract by 10 to 6.

DeSantis himself has not made a public voice for the Ono candidate qualification, but behind the scenes, his team is quietly discussing how to push his push, a person familiar with the matter said.

DeSantis' political action underscores the politically sensitive nature of voting, trying to win after the vote.

"Santa Ono is gone," said Jordan Schachtel, a newly hired Desantis political worker. "The Florida Commission has voted to reject Ono as the president of the University of Florida."

He continued: “Florida has voted to reject Vaux, Dee, CRT of our flagship university.”

R-FLA. Senator Rick Scott also praised the vote, saying it was the "right decision".

DeSantis's office did not respond to requests for comment.

During the controversial Tuesday meeting, Ono tried to explain that he had an "evolving" mindset about issues like Dei, and that they both align with Florida's governance brands and attracted government brands in both areas.

“These programs will have no seats at the University of Florida,” he told the board.