As if Ron DeSantis didn’t already have a full plate, the Florida governor is facing criticism anew, this time for his long-standing feud with Disney.
Walt Disney World’s Epcot. Image Credit: 19FortyFive.com
In a “friend of the court” brief filed in the ongoing federal lawsuit of Disney against DeSantis, a group comprised of several former governors, congressional representatives and presidential administration officials said that DeSantis’ actions against Disney have been “severely damaging to the political, social, and economic fabric of the State (of Florida).”
A few months ago, Disney called off a plan to put up a new office complex facility as well as the relocation of its Imagineering division in Florida, nullifying an influx of anywhere from $864 million to $1.3 billion in investments by the company into the state. Disney’s move would have also brought as much as 2,000 new jobs, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger
A spokesperson for the Florida governor sought to downplay the news, saying that the decision by Disney was “unsurprising” given the company’s “financial straits, falling market cap and declining stock price.”
Ron DeSantis vs. Disney: The Spark That Started the Fire
Before that, DeSantis escalated his tiff with the entertainment company by signing a bill that effectively granted him control of the Disney World theme park district. The new rules implemented by DeSantis give him the power to pick the five supervisors of the board that oversees the Disney World’s 27,000-acre property, upending the established practice for the last 55 years that saw Disney-appointed supervisors controlling the district.
“This legislation ends Disney’s self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes,” DeSantis said.
Disney has sued DeSantis over the takeover, alleging that the Florida governor engaged in a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against the company.
Many, including Disney, view the move as retaliation over the company’s public opposition to legislation DeSantis detractors have taken to calling the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits any kind of discussion in school regarding gender identity and sexual orientation from kindergarten to third grade. When the law was announced last year, Disney’s then-CEO Bob Chapek blasted the legislation in a meeting of the company’s shareholders, and said that Disney would make a $5 million donation to organizations that protected LGBTQ+ rights.
One Thing After Another
While no stranger to controversy, DeSantis may be taking on more than he can handle.
DeSantis is currently second place in the polls in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, but his approval and support numbers are leagues away from former president Donald Trump, who is currently at the head of the pack of GOP presidential hopefuls.
DeSantis also had to trim down staff as reports by his camp show bad spending habits – with the campaign burning through close to $8 million of its $19.7 million war chest within its first six weeks.
Something Is Terribly Wrong With Former President Trump
He has also come under fire – both from Republicans and Democrats – over another controversial educational curriculum, this time about African-American history. Part of the middle school curriculum reportedly includes claims that slaves learned “skills” that they were able to use for personal benefit.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Image Credit: 19FortyFive.com
Tim Ramos has written for various publications, corporations, and organizations – covering everything from finance, politics, travel, entertainment, and sports – in Asia and the U.S. for more than 10 years.
