Disney CEO Iger criticizes DeSantis’ ‘vengeful actions’ in Florida
Disney CEO Bob Iger has reminded investors that his company is not the only business operating within a special district in Florida that has enjoyed limited scrutiny compared with Disney’s, citing the Daytona Speedway and the retirement community The Villages. Iger added that Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is “plainly a matter of retaliation,” as it opposed legislation that would limit classroom discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity. DeSantis has said Disney’s lawsuit is akin to the company deciding to “contract out against the will of the people.” Disney’s amended complaint also said that newly passed Florida legislation targets Walt Disney World’s monorail system. However, Iger also said that Disney still plans to spend over $17 billion to invest in Walt Disney World over the next decade.
In essence, a bill passed in Florida in June 2020, limiting classroom discussions on LGBTQ+ topics, led to Disney publicly opposing the legislation, drawing the state’s ire. Disney’s amended complaint also noted Florida legislation had targeted the company’s monorail system. DeSantis said Disney was “contracting out against the will of the people” while Iger claimed the controversy was “plainly a matter of retaliation.” Disney’s lawsuit is over the special district that Walt Disney World, not Disneyland, operates in as other districts have faced less scrutiny than his company.
Disney has been involved in bad blood with the state since it opposed a bill that limited discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in classrooms. Disney’s federal lawsuit filed in mid-July accuses Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of targeting Walt Disney World that includes the Orlando theme park as well as other resort properties and operations. Under the state’s plan, Walt Disney World would be subject to the same regulations as every other district.
Governor DeSantis signed legislation last month essentially voiding Disney’s development deals in Orlando. The legislation also passed the state’s Republican-led Legislature. Under DeSantis’ plan, Walt Disney World’s monorail system would be subject to regulations by an outside agency, something that Disney has long fought. DeSantis has also made comments that seem to suggest that Disney has been punished for voicing political opinions that differ from the state government.
Finally, Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, reminded shareholders that other businesses in Florida benefitting from limited scrutiny within a special district include Daytona Speedway and the retirement community The Villages. Iger stated that Disney’s lawsuit is simply a matter of retaliation due to the company’s opposition of the new bill. Furthermore, he emphasized that Disney intends to spend over $17 billion in investments at Walt Disney World over the next decade, creating around 13,000 jobs and paying more taxes to Florida.
