DeSantis, a GOP presidential hopeful, made the comments during a campaign rally Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa.
"And one of the things I think, it's like what the left is trying to do to this country, what people in the media are helping them do, is they are just trying to lie to the public about almost everything that's going on," DeSantis said. "When that White House press secretary goes to that podium and tells you that the border is secure, they think you're stupid. They're willing to say anything."
DeSantis then referred back to his debate between Newsom on Thursday, saying the California leader lied about his own policies.