Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed his intentions to put an end to the longstanding feud between the state and Disney. In an interview with CNBC, DeSantis stated, “We’ve basically moved on. They’re suing the state of Florida. They’re going to lose that lawsuit.” He further emphasized that he is open to moving forward and dropping the lawsuit. However, he made it clear that he is not inclined to provide special privileges to a single company while excluding others.
The ongoing conflict between Disney and the state of Florida stems from Disney’s reaction to the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade. In 2022, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly criticized the law at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, prompting DeSantis to sign a bill that allows him to take control of Disney’s special tax district.
Multiple lawsuits and countersuits have been filed by both sides since then. Most recently, Florida’s attorney general filed a motion to dismiss Disney’s April lawsuit, claiming immunity for DeSantis. Disney had alleged that DeSantis and other officials engaged in a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” against the company for its stance on the parental rights bill.
During the interview, DeSantis highlighted the resilience of Florida’s economy, which remained open during the pandemic. He highlighted that Disney’s competitors, such as Universal and SeaWorld, have not received similar privileges and emphasized the need for equal treatment.
Despite the ongoing feud, Disney CEO Bob Iger has stated that there has been no impact on attendance at the parks. However, Iger acknowledged that performance at Walt Disney World has been “softer” due to a tourism slowdown in Florida, a strong US dollar, and a decline in post-pandemic pent-up demand. Nonetheless, Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products segment revenue exceeded expectations in the recent quarter.
Governor DeSantis’ willingness to end the feud could signal a potential resolution in the ongoing legal battle between the state of Florida and Disney. The outcome of the conflict will likely have significant implications for both parties involved.