The ongoing effort by Florida’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis and his supporters to exert control over Disney began last year. file. , Photo Credit: AP
The Walt Disney Company Sues Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis On Wednesday, asked a court to overturn the state’s efforts to take control of the company’s Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando.
DeSantis, the oversight board appointed to oversee development in and around Walt Disney World in central Florida, supported a legal opinion that declared void the agreement that laid the foundation for billions of dollars in future development of the theme park.
“The company has filed this lawsuit to protect its artists, guests and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing unpopular political views with certain state officials.” There is no other option left.” the company said in its lawsuit.
A spokesman for DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ongoing effort by DeSantis and his supporters to exert control over Disney began last year after the company criticized a state law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity in schools.
Shares of Disney were little changed in market action on Wednesday.
Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger called the retaliation against the company “anti-business” and “anti-Florida”. The company employs around 75,000 people in the state.
State Republicans targeted Disney last year after it clashed publicly with DeSantis, widely considered a 2024 presidential candidate.
Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney’s virtual autonomy in developing the 25,000 acres in central Florida where its theme parks are located.
But prior to the takeover by DeSantis appointees, Disney notably pushed changes to the district agreement that had limited the board’s action for decades.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that the controversy could boost DeSantis’ support among US Republican voters, but hurt him among the broader electorate.
Seventy-three percent of respondents – including 82% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans – said they are less likely to support a political candidate who was created to punish a company for its political or cultural stance. supports the laws.