Disney sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over ‘retaliation’
- The company is accusing the governor and likely 2024 presidential hopeful of ‘government retaliation’ after it opposed his ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
- The lawsuit is the latest development in an ongoing feud between DeSantis and Disney, a powerful political player and major tourism driver in his state
Disney on Wednesday sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alleging his administration’s takeover of its theme park district is part of “a targeted campaign of government retaliation” for its opposition to a law barring discussion of homosexuality in schools.
The move is the latest salvo in an increasingly bitter fight between the entertainment giant and DeSantis, a Republican presidential hopeful for 2024 who has denounced Disney as a “woke” corporation – a call aimed at pleasing his right-wing supporters.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Florida, names DeSantis and other members of the conservative governor’s administration.
“A targeted campaign of government retaliation – orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech – now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardises its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights,” it says.
Disney attracted the governor’s ire last year after it criticised a law banning school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity.
After initially keeping mum on the issue, Disney came under pressure from its creative workforce, and vowed to help repeal the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, which campaigners say stigmatises LGBTQ youth.
