Disney has been going through a lot of flux due to changing leadership, criticism, and increasing layoffs. The media giant is aiming to cut costs by $5.5 billion by laying off its employees. The post-pandemic situation worsened, so Bob Iger replaced Bob Chapek.
But the legal reins that Chapek left are now on the shoulders of Iger, including the Ron DeSantis feud, which has jeopardized its governance of the theme parks in Orlando. Disney has been vocal about its opposition to DeSantis’ policies like LGBT rights, children’s education, and corporations’ rights. So, to retaliate, Disney has sued the governor of Florida for curtailing its fundamental rights.
Related: Florida Gov. DeSantis Seeks To End Disney’s Self-Government Status
Disney Has Sued Ron DeSantis For Curbing Their Rights Through A Retaliation Campaign
The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, is gearing up to enter the presidential race by filing his nomination against other Republican members, including Donald Trump. But during his tenure as governor of Florida, he has locked horns with Disney.
It has been a long dispute over the governance of the Orlando-based theme parks. In February 2023, DeSantis signed legislation to overturn the autonomy status of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. But Disney is now retaliating with a lawsuit to prevent DeSantis’ aggressive policies.
As per the lawsuit, Disney alleges that there is “a targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech — now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
The lawsuit further read, “Disney regrets that it has come to this. But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect… from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”
In Case You Missed: “Astounding That It Even Exists In This Country”- Oscar Issac Responds To The Disney Backlash Over Florida Bill
Why Is The Mickey Mouse House And The Governor Feuding
Disney and Ron DeSantis’ feud started in 2022 when the governor signed a bill preventing classrooms from teaching children anything about the LGBTQIA+ community. Disney protested against this bill after maintaining a long silence until the LGBTQIA+ employees retaliated.
The then-CEO of the media mogul, Bob Chapek, released a statement saying, “It is clear that this is not just an issue about a bill in Florida but instead yet another challenge to basic human rights. You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights, and I let you down. I am sorry.” He also announced stopping political funding for the district after donating $4.8 million during the 2020 elections.
Disney World has been a self-governing district since 1967. It has overlooked all the municipal work in the district, right from road maintenance to electricity supply. The media giant turned this marshy land into a theme park on 25,000 acres of land. It is the largest private employer in the district, employing 75,000 people.
But in March 2023, Ron signed legislation stripping it of its power to govern. He employed a board of supervisors to look after the district, ironically increasing state control. However, Disney successfully struck an agreement, defuncting the board. A new Senate law, without aiming at the theme parks, resurrected the board of supervisors to be more proactive in overlooking the rides in the theme park district.
You Might Also Like To Read: Walt Disney Claims It Will Take 1 Billion Dollars To Remove Special District
