Disney Sues DeSantis Over Loss of Special District

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Facts

  • Walt Disney Co. sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging the Republican has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against the company amid a long-standing battle sparked by DeSantis’ bill limiting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity with school children.1
  • The lawsuit was filed in federal court after a DeSantis-appointed board tasked with overseeing Disney’s special taxing district voted to invalidate an agreement struck between Disney and the now-dissolved board last February.2
  • The company’s complaint tells the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida that DeSantis and the board governing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — containing Walt Disney World resort — targeted Disney by nullifying two development contracts.3
  • Disney’s parks division said it “regrets” having to seek legal action, but it is “left with no choice” but to file the lawsuit that seeks to protect the company’s autonomous zone shielding it from state authority, which had been in place for more than 50 years.4
  • While the DeSantis-appointed board voted to invalidate the pact that quietly gave Disney autonomy, the move may be on hold as the lawsuit works its way through the courts. DeSantis' deputy press secretary said, “we are unaware of any legal right” that a “company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges...”5
  • DeSantis and Disney have been feuding since the company came out against the state’s “Parental Rights in Education Act” last year. The governor has continually maintained that the company cannot defy state law.6

Sources: 1CNBC, 2CNN, 3FOX News, 4BBC News, 5POLITICO, and 6NPR Online News.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Vox. Disney is rightly fighting back against authoritarian governor Ron DeSantis who has repeatedly weaponized Florida’s government to infringe on Disney’s First Amendment rights. The potential presidential hopeful has tied his political identity to fighting the absurdly characterized “woke” corporation, but his real identity is his prejudice against LGBTQ+ people, as seen by his discriminatory laws. DeSantis cannot force Disney to abide.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by American Greatness. Disney has been badly losing its battle against DeSantis, and it will continue to do so. Not only does the corporation not have a moral ground to stand on, but it also lacks any legal argument for its ability to defy state law. Disney is shamefully committed to indoctrinating children with inappropriate content. Its behavior should not be rewarded with undeserved corporate welfare.