Disney-DeSantis war of words heats up at annual meeting

ORLANDO, Fla. –

Disney CEO Bob Iger on Monday stated any retaliatory actions by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature in opposition to the corporate that threaten jobs or enlargement at its Florida resort will not be solely “anti-business but anti-Florida.”

Answering a query throughout a web based shareholders’ assembly, Iger stated that the Republican governor and lawmakers gave the impression to be retaliating in opposition to the corporate for exercising its constitutional rights when Disney final yr criticized Florida’s nicknamed “Don’t Say Gay” laws. The measure bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender id in kindergarten via third grade, in addition to classes deemed not age-appropriate.

In response, Florida lawmakers handed, and DeSantis signed, laws revamping the government-like board that oversees Walt Disney World’s 27,000-acre (10,926-hectare) property outdoors Orlando. Among the adjustments the laws made was that the Florida governor received to choose the 5 supervisors of the governing board as a substitute of it being managed by Disney, because it had been in its earlier 55 years.

By taking up Disney, DeSantis tried to additional his popularity as a tradition warrior prepared to battle perceived political enemies and wield the ability of state authorities to perform political targets, a method that’s anticipated to proceed forward of his potential White House run.

But the DeSantis-appointed supervisors stated final week on the second assembly of the revamped board that their predecessors had pulled a quick one on them by passing restrictive covenants that strip the brand new board of most of its powers.

DeSantis on Monday requested Florida’s chief inspector common to launch an investigation into the actions of the earlier board.

“Any legal or ethical violations should be referred to the appropriate authorities,” DeSantis stated in a letter to chief inspector common.

“Disney is again fighting to keep its special corporate benefits and dodge Florida law,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern stated in an e mail. “We are not going to let that happen. As Governor DeSantis recently said, `You ain’t seen nothing yet.”‘