D.C. SENATE INAUGURAL BALL: Rick Scott holds party during government shut down -- His 'Sunshine Ball' seeks $100,000 donations to his political committee. (Tampa Bay Times)

Is this latest RICHARD LYNN SCOTT faux pas a case of res ipsa loquitur -- the thing speaks for itself?

Serving the end of his two terms in office as Governor, Florida's freshman Senator, RICK SCOTT, left the inauguration of our new Governor DeSantis early, after making dozens of last-minute appointments, got sworn in as Senator at 4 PM on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, then holding a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. during the third week of President DONALD JOHN TRUMP's government shutdown, competing with the same time as Governor DeSantis' inaugural ball in Tallahassee.

From Tampa Bay Times:

Rick Scott holds party during government shut down

His 'Sunshine Ball' seeks $100,000 donations to his political committee

By Adam C. Smith 

Jan. 8

Rick Scott promised to "get something done" if elected Florida Senator. Today he becomes a senator, and one of the first things he will get done is raising money for his political committee.

He hosts a black tie Sunshine Ball tonight in Washington, where donors are asked to contribute up to $100,000.

The gala party at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium comes in the midst of a federal government shut down. Thousands of federal workers are going unpaid, while Scott donors will pay at least $25,000 for a photo opportunity with Florida's new senator.

Scott is scheduled to be sworn in at 4 p.m., and Florida's senior Senator, Marco Rubio, will attend.

"Senator-elect Scott is excited to start his term in the U.S. Senate and fight for Florida families," Scott spokesman Chris Hartline said when asked about the Sunshine Ball. "During his 8 years as governor, Governor Scott didn't accept a salary. In the Senate, he will be donating his full salary."

The 7 p.m. Sunshine Ball conflicts with The Governor's Inaugural Ball for Ron DeSantis at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee. Donors and supporters of both will have to choose which bash to attend.

President Donald Trump will cut into Scott's party, holding a prime time , Oval Office TV address about the government shut down and southern border fence at 9 p.m.

The Senate on Tuesday evening is also scheduled to consider its first bill of the new Congress, a Middle East defense and policy package that just so happens to be sponsored by Sen. Rubio.

…Developing.